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Early Years in Smyrna 



an( 



Our First Old HomeWeek 



BY 

GEORGE A. MUNSON 



(^-^^^5^5 



1905 



Chenango Union Presses 



S^'\ 



26 '06 




ASA WILBUR. 



A SONG OF THE HILLS. 
By Clinton Sgollard. 

By special permisssion of the Author, and of Robert Webster Jone«, 
Editor of the Household, Minneapolis, Minn. 



The green hills, the clean hills, without a 
stain upon them, 
When little vernal whispers breathe, and 
woodsy attars pass — 
When all the glory of the spring's rekin- 
dled life is on them, 
Thie beauty of the burgeoned boughs, 
the glamour of the grass. 

The fair hills, the rare hills, what sight 
hath blither seeming. 
Than they reveal when summertide sets 
seal upon the earthi — 
The meads below them gleaming, the sky 
above them dreaming, 
And not a tune save those that throb 
with melody and mirth! 

The old hills, the gold hills, with orient 
autumn o'er them — 
The autumn with her wonderloom 
whereto she turns her hand, 
And low, straightway upon them and 
about them and before them 
A web no mortal skill may match, not 
e'en in Samarcandl 

The glad hills, the sad hills— how joy and 
sorrow blended 
Engirdle evermore the paths where boy- 
hood's feet have clombl 
Ah, how affection clings to them, and will 
till life is ended. 
The grand hills, the free hills, the dear 
hills of home 1 



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CC:'•:CC:'•h'^^;'•>Ji'^:'^:i^'^:'•>,^'■^'•:i.^'•■i^^^^^^M 



Early Years in Smyrna 



The inhabitants who first peopled our hills and valleys, were 
Oneida Indians, with an occasional member of the Tuscarora 
tribe, though it is said that in the early days there were traces of 
still another race who lived here before the red men came, but if 
so it was many centuries ago. 

It is also well known by all that the early history of the In- 
dian race comes to us only in legends and traditions, and their 
most interesting stories of love, courtship, hunting, warfare and 
other matters are not the most reliable. 

The tribe of Oneidas referred to were descendants of the 
Onondagas, and was organized two hundred and forty years be- 
fore the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Philadel- 
phia. 

They were noted as a quiet and inoflFensive race, and were 
good friends of the Colonies during the days of the Revolution. 

In the history of our neighboring town of Sherburne, written 
by the late Joel Hatch, Esq., (All honor be to his memory) he 
told us the "Valley of Chenango" had from time immemorable, 
been the "red men's hunting and fishing grounds," and that they 
continued it as such, "until agricultural improvements had ban- 
ished the deer, the wolf and the bear from the valley." 

Indian relics have been found within our own borders, and 
there is no question but that our town furnished as attractive 
resorts as any. Most surely no more alluring places could have 
anywhere been found for either hunting, fishing or trapping than 

7 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Pleasant Brook, Cold Brook, Wolf Gorge or the Quaker Gulf, 
and "Nigger" Hill to be seen for many miles away, has always 
been the gunner's paradise. Many will remember the Antone 
family who once lived on the Bonney place just west of our vill- 
age also Peggy, the good wife, who trudged around through all this 
section of country with her bundle of handsome baskets which 
always found a ready sale. Many of the boys of by-gone days 
will remember Old Abe Tuschnuck with his famous bow and 
arrows, shooting pennies and securing all he could hit at a certain 
distance. Bands of traveling Indians were frequent visitors at 
the old Munson distillery, and while their visits usually caused 
consternation and fear among those employed at the still, they 
always departed within a few hours, peaceably and with no mo- 
lestation. Occasionally a half dozen of the leaders would be 
invited to dinner at the old log house of the proprietor and they 
were always courteous and civil. Companies of Indians were 
also said to have visited frequently a small distillery kept by one 
George Bixby, an early resident, whose house was the site of the 
present house of Walter Sexton and whose distillery was but a 
few rods north on the same side of the road. Here they were 
wont to camp, with their squaws and pappooses, on the hill near 
by for days at a time. 

Clark, in his history of our county, states that on one occasion 
fifty Indians came down the Chenango River in canoes, to visit 
a party of Indians who resided at an Indian castle below the 
present village of Norwich, and it is stated by others that they 
were frequently to be seen going up and down the river in canoes 
during the early settlement of the valley. 

The headquarters of the Oneidas was near the site of the 
present city of Rome, then called Fort Stanwix and later Fort 
Schuyler, and that was the point of portage from the Mohawk 
River to Wood Creek, at Oneida Lake, and by this route pas- 
sengers then journeyed to Oswego and Montreal. 

The handsome Oneida Lake, so well known by all the people 
of this and surrounding vicinities, was as well, if not better, known 

8 



Our First Old Home Week 



by the Indians, in the days when this entire section of the 
country was their home. 

In those days the village of Vernon was known as the "Place 
of the Fox," Clinton the "White Field,' Oriskany as the 
"Oriska," the St Lawrence as the "River of Islands," and Ni- 
agara as the "Thunder of Water." 

The Indian Camp, near the handsome Smyrna Falls, on the 
west bank of Cold brook, which is still remembered by a few 
of our old residents, was a famous resort for our Indian brethren, 
and here they were welcomed from all the country round, and 
their visits numerous. Here, some fifty years ago, the squaw 
of the camp was stricken with consumption, and in the early 
hours of a calm September morning, a horse and wagon was 
secured, and she was taken northward to die and be laid at rest 
among her own people. 

At her departure, the occupants of the camp each left in a 
different direction, forever deserting the camp, the last home of the 
Indians in our town. 

The State of New York, named in honor of the Duke of York 
of England, was established in 1777 and its first constitution 
then adopted. 

Chenango County, taken from Herkimer and Tioga Counties 
was organized March 15,1 798. It takes its name from the hand- 
some river which flows through it, Chenango, an Indian name 
meaning beautiful and we can truthfully say it was happily and 
rightfully named. It is twenty-five miles long and twenty-eight 
miles wide. Herkimer and Tioga counties were taken from Mont- 
gomery county, then known as Tryon county. Chenango county 
therefore traces her lineage back to Montgomery, the original 
Tryon county, so famous in revolutionary history. 

Smyrna known as the Eighth Township of the Governor's 
Purchase, or Chenango Twenty Townships, was taken from Sher- 
burne, March 25, 1808, and first named Stafford, but the name 
was changed April 5th of the same year to Smyrna, named it 
is said from the Ancient City of Asia Minor. 

9 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Its early history is somewhat connected with that of the town 
of Sherburne, yet its history forms no inferior part in that of 
our county or state. Much of it is lost forever, as its early 
history, so well known by our early settlers and pioneers, who 
have long since passed away, is now only known by what 
is remembered from the lips of the early inhabitants handed 
down to their decendants, who are now but few. 

It is a matter of much congratulation today that the larger part 
of our town history has been placed on paper and can be read by 
the present generation, thereby securing a knowledge of the lives 
and character of our early pioneers, which are worthy of example. 
Our origiwal inhabitants came from New England, ftad Mas- 
sachuserteJA Rhode Island sending a goodly number, but Con- 
necticut the most. They were mostly men of strong minds 
and determined wills, and usually reliable and trustworthy. 

With them came their puritanic ideas which were strictly fol- 
lowed and even at the present their good example and influence 
may be safely traced in the lives of their descendants. 

Our first settlers were Joseph Porter and wife, who came here 
from Conway, Mass., in August, 1792. They located on the pres- 
ent Chapman farm, long known as the Talcott farm, where a log 
house was erected and where they began the settlement of the 
town, then Sherburne. 

A few months after their arrival Mrs. Porter sickened and died 
and was buried on the farm by the side of an Indian family, and 
while the place is known, her own grave can not now be identi- 
fied. Soon after her decease Mr. Porter sold his farm to Joshua 
Talcott, forever reserving the grave of Mrs. Porter. Discouraged 
and disheartened Mr. Porter moved westward and never again 
returned to the town. 

THE SECOND FAMILY. 

The second family in town was Joseph Tobey and wife, who 
reached here March 3, 1793. With them came the late John P. 
Tobey, then three years of age. It is related that on arriving at 
Pleasant Brook which was very high on account of a spring 

10 



Our First Old Home Week 



freshet, Mrs. Tobey sat down on a log and wished that she 
might die. She had left a comfortable home for a hut in the 
wilderness and what wonder was it that she thus murmured. 

The 7th of May following Jerusha Tobey was born, the 
first white child born in the town. 

Mr. Tobey settled on the east end of the Talcott farm, but 
after a year or two removed to the farm now occupied by his 
great-great-grandson, Edmund P. Tobey. Joseph Tobey and 
wife are buried on this farm. 

John P. Tobey, son of Joseph Tobey will be well remember- 
ed by many of our people as well as his devoted wife, Temperance 
Wing Tobey, whose labors were not confined to her own family 
or to her own church or community as many poor boys and 
girls at Five Points Mission at New York could testify during 
the days of her health and usefulness. 

Edmund P. and John F. Tobey, sons of John P. and Tem- 
perance Tobey, both now deceased, were former well known and 
respected citizens, and like the father and mother, faithful mem- 
bers and earnest workers in the Methodist Church, and in fact 
the entire Tobey family are members of that organization. A 
daughter is Mrs. Antoinette Brown now of Hesperia, Mich. 

The former married Lucy Pope, and to them was born one 
son, Charles S., now of Norwich, whose wife was Nettie, the 
youngest daughter of the late Alonzo L Bennett, by whom were 
bom three children, Merton L., who married Grace Whitcomb 
of Norwich, and Maud, who became the wife of Clarence Cran- 
dall also of Norwich, and Edmund P., who married Lucy Conley, 
who as has been stated still remains upon the Tobey farm. 

John F. Tobey married Miranda Tuttle but early in the 
seventies they moved to Delphi, Onondaga County, where they 
spent their last remaining days. 

Harriet L, the little five-year-old daughter of Edmund P. 
and Lucy Conley Tobey, has the distinction of being a great- 
great-great-granddaughter of the original purchaser of that 
farm. 

11 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



David Wilber, Joseph Billings and Joseph Collins joined the 
settlement in 1793, the first named coming from Dutchess County 
on foot, his wife and little son on horseback. He first purchas- 
ed a farm, which he soon traded for a hotel, soon after selling 
this and buying the farm so many years occupied by his son 
Piatt Wilber, who became a prosperous farmer and influenced 
citizen, in late years becoming a leading member of the Metho- 
dist Church of Smyrna and one of the chief promoters of the 
plan to improve and remodel the church edifice in the year 1871. 
Wesley D. Wilber, a grandson of David Wilber, is now the owner 
of the farm, residing near by. The little son on horseback was 
Thompson Wilber, the father of the large and well known 
Wilber family so long residents of our town, a family looked 
up to and respected by all, and one which had many warm 
friends in our community. 

Of Thompson Wilber' s family there were eleven children, as 
follows: Harlo, who became a physician; Orlando, a prosperous 
farmer; Mira, who married Owen Manwaring, Clarissa, the wife 
of A.D. Sargent of Norwich; Harriet, the wifeof Thomas Morris; 
Jane, a maden lady; Elijah, a long time respected citizen of 
Earlville; Talcott who married the oldest daughter of the late 
Solomon Brown; Cortland, a school teacher, who lost his life 
by drowning; Charles, who spent the most of his life on the 
Wilber farm, his wife Lavina, the daughter of the late Simon A. 
Chapman, a most estimable woman by whom were two sons 
now grown to manhood; Cortland A., now a resident of Bing- 
hamton, and Victor A., a citizen of Yellville, Ark. Charles 
was an extensive dealer in cattle and sheep and favorably 
known through all this section. 

Asa Wilber was a popular citizen, and like his brother Charles 
an ardent Republican and a leader of his party in the^town. He 
married Mary, a daughter of the late Francis E. Dimmick, by 
whom were two children, Arthur, who was taken from them by 
death in his fourteenth year, a sad loss to his parents, and Lillian 
R., who still survives them making her home with her uncle 
Duane D. Dimmick of Earlville. 

12 



Our First Old Home Week 



Mr. Wilber was a hard working man and also like his brother 
an extensive dealer in cattle and sheep. 

He was an excellent business man holding many otfices of 
trust and was supervisor of the town of Smyrna more years in 
succession than any other man, with the possible exception of 
the late Andrew Shepardson. Not one of this once large and 
prosperous family now resides here, all having passed on to the 
great beyond. 

John Billings of Somers, Tolland County, Ct., bought one 
thousand acres of goverment land for his children in the north 
part of the town but did not come here in person. His oldest 
son, Joseph W., was bom in 1773, and when he became of age 
married AbilPomeroy of his native town, and during the following 
winter ( 1 794) immigrated to Smyrna with his sister Betsey 
and her husband Joseph Collins. 

They came with a yoke of oxen, two cows and a sleigh load 
of goods. The cows, causing much annoyance by running into 
the woods, were finally put ahead of the oxen and made to as- 
sist in drawing the load. Arriving here they settled on the hill 
west of the creek, as they feared to locate in the valley on ac- 
count of fever and ague, a disease in those days much to be 
dreaded, usually atfecting newly settled regions. 

Billings was said to have been handy with tools, could fix 
wagons, shoe horses, and do almost any kind of work. 

At tirst they built a log house which was superseded by a 
framed structure in 1812, a portion of which is still standing, and 
also a small grist mill on the site of the present saw mill, and as 
the nearest mill was in Oneida County, nearly forty miles away, 
they did quite a business for their neighbors and friends until 
a larger mill was built at the village- It is stated that the bolt 
through which the flour was sifted, was the result of the 
handiwork of Mrs. Collins, and while no doubt the color of the 
flour was not the very whitest, nor its quality the tinest, we 
are willing to guarantee its sweetness of taste was never surpass- 
ed, by that of any flour made by any modem appliances. 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Later in life Billings became a prosperous farmer and also a 
Captain in the State Militia. He attended church at Sherburne 
West Hill, but never seemed to have a home interest in the 
new church at Smyrna, though his wife united with the same. 

Their children were Joseph, Timothy, Lauren, Diana, Harlow, 
Pomeroy, Amanda and Abi. The first three settled in Western 
New York then a wilderness. Amanda married Julius Wood, of 
whom more will be written later. Harlo was the last member 
of the family to live at the old homestead which is now owned 
by George S. Record. 

Among the sons of John Billings, the original purchaser of 
the Billings farm, was John, the father of John F., who built the 
cobble stone house on the Earlville road, and among his daugh- 
ters were Betsey, who married Joseph Collins, and Flavia 
who became the wife of John Parsons. Among all the numerous 
Billings family once in our town, now only remain J. Munroe 
Billings, a long and much respected citizen, his son Edwin S. 
Billings and his grandson, Robert H, Billings, a great-great-great- 
grandson of the original purchaser. Eloise M. Briggs, a daughter 
of WiUiam P. and Emma Billings Briggs is a great-great-great- 
granddaughter of the said original purchaser. Joseph Collins 
and wife settled on the present Brooks farm, a clothier who built 
a cloth dressing establishment on Cold Brook just below the pres- 
ent saw mill. The ruins of the old flume are still discernible. 

They were frugal, industrious people, much interested in 
church and society affairs, greatly respected by all. 

Their children were Betsey, Grace, Warren, Myron, Marcia, 
Loren, Levi B., Alonzo and William, each growing up under 
the teachings of parents who firmly believed in the old puritanic 
doctrines and all seemed to profit by their thorough discipline, all 
having a deep regard for all things pertaining to the moral and 
spiritual welfare of the community. 

They were said to be a musical family and William became 
a preacher. 

The name of Levi B. Collins stands out most prominently to 
the people of our time, as his whole life was spent among us, a 

t4 




DEA. LEVI B. COLLINS. 



Our First Old Home Week 



christian man of sterling character, faithful to his church and 
community, a musician of rare ability and a most excellent 
citizen, a deacon and choir leader in the Congregational Church 
for many years and a very successful teacher of music in this 
and adjoining towns for more than sixty years. 

Levi B. Collins was born in Smyrna, February 27, 1810, 
and on March 20, 1834, married Evaline Ransom of Skaneateles, 
a sister of the late James O. Ransom, a former citizen, rearing a 
large family of children, though but three remain in town; 
Genora, the oldest, greatly respected by all; Loren, who married 
Mary, a daughter of the late Horatio N. Powers and Harvey, 
whose wife was Jennie, a daughter of our former esteemed citizen, 
William H. Congdon, and they have an interesting family of five 
children— two sons and three daughters. Of the rest, who have 
removed from the town, we mention Janett, the highly esteemed 
wife of the late Herbert M. Dixon, now at Maiden, Mass. Adelia, 
wife of our former townsman, Hendrick Goodrich, now of Elm- 
wood, Illinois; Ida, who married Lewis E. Purdy of Sherburne, 
their family consisting of one daughter, Evelyn, and three stal- 
wart sons— Harvey, who resides at Minneapolis, Minn., and Clyde 
and Reuben who remain at home. 

Myron and Levi are both worthy scions of the family, the 
former who first married Anna Hunt, and at her decease Ruth 
Reynolds, a daughter of the late Van Rensselaer Reynolds, and at 
her decease her sister Julia, (Clarence, his son, married Flora A., a 
daughter of Casher and Amelia Taylor and they have two young 
sons and an infant daughter, the older son named Myron, who 
we trust will live to ever hold up the high standard of good cit- 
izenship established by the grandfather from whom he is 
named.) 

Levi, the youngest of the family, has been well and favorably 
known here and at Sherburne for many years, and at present is a 
prominent business man in the latter place, where he is held in high 
esteem. He married Edith, a daughter of the late Richard Buell, 
and they have one young son named Earl. 

tS 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



The death of Deacon Collins took place July 8th, 
1887, his excellent wife surviving him till June 19, 1894, when 
she was called to her reward. They sleep their last sleep in 
the old West Burial at Smyrna, where many others are laid, 
whose life work, like theirs, was passed in the promotion of the 
welfare of the entire community. 

The following song was a great favorite of the late Deacon 
Levi B. Collins, and often sung at the Congregational Church, 
where Mr. Collins was a most efficient leader of the choir for 
many years It was also sung on many occasions by the Dixon 
and Collins Quartette. The memory of this song will awaken 
many thoughts of sacred associations to scores of people who 
have listened to it in the days "gone by." 

MEMOKIES OF GALILEE. 

Each cooing dove and sighing bough, 

That make the eve so blest to me, 
Has something far diviner now, 

It bears me back to Galilee. 

Each flowery glen, and mossy dell, 

Where happy birds in song agree, 
Thro' sunny morn, their praises tell, 

Of sights and sounds in Galilee. 

And when 1 read the thrilling love, 

Of Him who walked upon the sea, 
I long, oh, how 1 long, once more, 

To follow him in Galilee. 

Chorus. 
Oh Galilee, Sweet Galilee, 

Where Jesus loved so much to be. 
Oh Galilee, Blue Galilee, 

Come sing that song again to me. 

Hon. Isaac Foote was the son of Daniel Foote, of Colchester, 
Conn., where he was born January 4, 1746. He was educated 
in the common schools of that town, and in his early puritan 

16 








'^Ji':i^^^>cj^^'^7T 



/rj-r. 



Our First Old Home JVeek 



home received that sound but plain elementary instruction 
and that religious training which fitted him for a long life of 
practical usefulness, of strict integrity, and the most consistent 
piety. He was a soldier of the Revolution and before leaving the 
place of his birth, became a member of the Congregational 
Church. In 1794 he moved to Smyrna, (then Sherburne,) 
where he located on a farm and where he resided nearly fifty 
years, until his death on February 27, 1842. 

The farm is now known as the Sternberg farm, and the log 
house he built was but a few rods north of the present farm 
house. 

Mr. Footc was a tanner, currier, and shoemaker by trade, and 
had a log tannery a few rods north of his house. 

In his new home his energy, discrimination, practical judg- 
ment and amiable disposition, found ample room for exer- 
cise. He did much to promote the welfare of the settlement, 
and the improvement of the country, by assisting to open roads, 
establish schools, organize churches, and lend a helping hand to 
many an immigrant in distress. He was not a strong partisan 
but had pronounced political opinions, his first votefor President 
being cast for George Washington, his last for William Henry 
Harrison. 

He married Mary Kellogg, of Colchester, Ct., May 31, 1768, 
and her death occurred November 19, 1826, at the ageof eighty- 
twa 

Eight children were born to them but only six lived to 
maturity, these were Mary, Margaret, Isaac, Amasa, John and 
Hiram. 

Mary married Joseph Adams of Hamilton, a school teacher, 
and a Deacon of the Second Congregational Church on Sher- 
burne West Hill, until its dissolution. Margaret married Henry 
Cady of Monson, Mass. Amasa settled on a farm just south of 
the present Sternberg farm, a deacon of the Congregational 
Church at Smyrna, frequently elected Supervisor and Justice of 
the Peace of his town, later in life removing to Hamilton. 

t7 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



John was eleven years of age when the family came to 
Smyrna. He studied law, and became an eminent lawyer and a 
Solicitor in Chancery in the District Court of the United States. 

Isaac 2nd, came with his father to Smyrna, in 1 794, when 
nineteen years of age. He helped his father to clear the greater 
part of his farm, and at the age of twenty-six his father gave 
him a part of the farm, now owned by the Mulligan Estate, long 
known as the Powers farm, where he commenced life for him- 
self, working two years in clearing the land, building a small 
frame house, and soon after marrying Harriett Hyde of Lisle, 
N. Y. When he went to get married he rode one horse and led 
another for the use of the bride on their wedding trip. At the 
age of twenty-one he was chosen Collector and Constable of 
Sherburne, holding those otfices six years in succession. At the 
age of twenty-three he was appointed Under Sheriff of the 
County, and was elected High Sheriff for three years, beginning 
1810. In 1817 he was chosen agent for Daniel McCormick, 
who was joint owner with James Lawrence of New York City, 
for one-half of the town of Smyrna. He was also agent 
for other land holders, and at one time had in his care some 
thirty thousand acres of land in Smyrna, Norwich, Plymouth 
and Columbus and was said to have stood like a rock between 
the settlers and the landholders. 

Isaac Foote 2nd was said to have been a man of great be- 
nevolence, not giving grudgingly, but from the conviction that 
it was a christian duty. Later in life he sold his farm and 
moved to Hamilton and thence to Norwich where his death 
occurred in February, 1859, at the age of eighty-four years, Li. 
wife surviving him but a few months. 

There were seven children as follows: Justin, Harriet, Charie 
Henry, Daniel, Elizabeth, and Samuel Isaac. The latter l! 
came one of our most excellent citizens. He removed in lati 
years to Norwich where his declining years were spent, an 
where his death occurred in 1883. To his letters, published i 
the Chenango Tribune in the winter of 1882, we are indebiec 

18 



Our First Old Home Week 



for much of this very interesting data concerning the Foote family 
in Smyrna, a family standing high in the church, and in the 
community for many years, whose worthy descendants are now 
gone from among us. 

His son, Frederick H. Foote of Binghamton, and wife, and 
his sister Margaret, of Norwich, were most welcome guests at 
our Old Home Week Banquet, on the evening of August 9, 1904, 
and to him we are indebted for the silhouette photograph of his 
great-grandfather, Hon. Isaac Foote, which appears with this 
sketch of the family. 

Simeon Rexford was born at Barkhamsted, Ct., May 7, 
1776, and in the spring of 1794 came to Smyrna, where he 
bought land in the north part of the town, and built a house 
for a home for his father's family on the lands still known as 
the Rexford farm. 

He returned to his home at Barkhamsted in the fall and 
early in the spring of 1795, with his father's family, he moved 
to the new home, then almost a wilderness, where they after- 
wards resided. Here Simeon became a prosperous farmer, and 
a leading man in the town, but in later years became blind, 
never recovering from the malady, his death occurring at the 
homestead December 31, 1857. He was four times married, 
his first wife being Weltha Carver of Smyrna, and his second 
Bersheba Taylor of Vermont, by whom was born Joseph T., a 
good natured citizen, an excellent story-teller, and a most 
successful pedagogue of his day, spending his later years in the 
state of Illinois, still later in Northern Michigan where his death 
*; fcurred some ten years since. 

His third wife was Milly Carver of Sherburne, and by her 
'cre born Francis K., and William D., the former studying 
•'?dicine in the office of Dr. N. B. Mead from April 1, 1833, to 
\ay, 1836, taking in the meantime a course of lectures at Fair- 
i.-!d Medical College, where he graduated in February, 1847. 
n June of that year he moved to Ypsilanti, Mich., and on the 
l-Uh of that month entered into a partnership with Dr. Richard 

\9 



B Morse and so continued till the year 1850, when he left the 
pission and engaged in the mercantile business cont,nu,ng 
the same until he retired in favor of his three sons. He was 
one of the founders of the enterprising city o Vps.lant, and 
for many years one of its most prominent and foremost ahzens. 
He died at his Ypsilanti home nearly ten years ago. 

William D. was born in Symrna, and married Eliza Potter, 
of Sherburne, both now deceased. Mr. Rexford was a success- 
ful farmer and a good business man, having the respect of al 
:iolZlm. Their children were Sidney D., who marr.ed 
Cynthia a daughter of Benjamin Lyon of Sherburne now 
dec" s d; Loverna C, who became the wife of Nathan Eldndge 
bv whom onedaughterwasborn, Mabel, nowthe much esteemed 
Snev M. O. VanKeuren of Little Valley, New York; 
M y E. who married Russell, a son of Henry 11. W.lcox, to 
whom were born three children, one daughter, Vern.e, who 
marrTed Henry Kinyon, and two sons, Sidney, whose home .s m 
Kansas, and Henry, who remains at home. 

Frank D. Rexford married Cornelia A. Foreman of Delh., 
N Y and retains the homestead, so long in the Rextord narne. 
Thev'have three children, Frank A., holding at present an ex- 
Illent^ mon in the Erasmus Hall High School at Brooklyn, 
NY Harry D. of EarlviUe and one young daughter, Agnes. 

simeon Rexford's fourth wife was Betsey Merrell, a sister of 
the wife of John Munson. 

. Allen a cousin of Simeon Rexford, was born at Barkhamsted 
a., September 9, 1819, marrying Almira Hart, of th=a pi 
moving'to Sherburne, and thence to Smyrna, and n la er year^ 
h.r\, tn Sherburne where his death occurred Dec. 5, 187S. He 
Itawrto do firmer and a good citizen, his farm bemg the 

present farm of Christopher C. Kmyon. 

Among their children were Lovisa, the '^teemed wife o the 
late YTeNorthrup, Adaline H.. who married the late W.lhamE. 



Our First Old Home Week 



Howd, of Barkhamsted, and Electa, the only remaining member, 
of the family, now residing in Sherburne village. 

The Willcox Family were descendants of Edward Willcox 
of Acquidneck, Rhode Island, who was said to have conducted 
at one time a trading post at Naragansett, with Roger Williams, 
the famous founder of the Colony. Hopson Willcox and his 
son Lillibridge Willcox, came to Smyrna on horse back from 
Exeter, Rhode Island, in the early summer of 1795. They 
selected land enough for five farms on the River Road between 
Smyrna and Earlville, but when they arrived at the Land office 
in New York with the money, they learned that part of this 
land had been sold, so they took up what was left on the River 
Road, which was enough for three farms. They then returned 
to Rhode Island. 

In the year 1798 Hopson Willcox with his four sons, Russell, 
Lillibridge, John and Hazard came and settled upon the land 
taken up in 1795. Hopson Wilcox and his two sons Russell 
and Hazard took the farms on the River Road, and his two sons 
Lillibridge and John took the farms on the hill northwest of 
Smyrna village. His son Robert came later from Rhode Island 
and purchased of a Mr. Guthrie, the first settler, the farm where 
his grandson, Robert, now lives. 

Upon his farm on the River Road Hopson Willcox and his 
wife died, the former in the year 1 822 at the age of 83 years. 
Their children were Robert, Russell, Lillibridge, John, Hazard 
and Betsy. The sons of Robert were Thomas, Hazard, and 
Samuel, the first of whom was the father of Jonathan Willcox; 
the second, the father of the late Robert H. Willcox, and the 
third the father of Robert and Calpherna Willcox, who still 
reside upon the homestead. 

Of Robert H. Willcox it can be said he was a man of strict 
honesty and integrity, and a most excellent citizen. His wife was 
Mary M., a daughter of Jesse and Zeruah Ferris. They had 
four children, all now living except Hazard, who passed away in 

2t 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



the fall of 1 884, leaving his wife, Cornelia, a daughter of the 
late Rensselaer Potter of Cazenovia, and one daughter, Arzelia D., 
to mourn his loss. Dorcas married Dwight L Sweet; Samuel 
married Ella, a daughter of the late Smith Calkins, and they 
reside with their family in the city of Binghamton. Jesse M., 
the youngest, married Clara, a daughter of the late Henry Holley, 
and there was born to them one son, Burt H., who died when 
but two months of age. 

Mr. Willcox spent several years in conducting creameries, 
first at Avon, Ct., next at Schuylerville, N Y., afterwards at 
Lee, Mass., and later at Hinsdale in the latter state, and was said 
to be a first class butter maker. He is now connected with the 
general store of Willcox & Preston in this village. 

Russell was the father of the late Henry H. Willcox, who 
married Marion, a daughter of James Purdie, who still survives. 
By honesty and integrity he became one of our most worthy 
citizens, and had the confidence and respect of all. His farm 
was well tilled, and one of the best in the Chenango Valley. 

Lillibridge married Anna Hoxie, of Rhode Island, and settled 
on the farm now owned by his grandsons, a little over a mile 
northwest of Smyrna Village. Here after a well spent life their 
deaths occurred— his in 1853, at the age of 80 years and that 
of his wife in 1858, at the age of 77 years. There were seven 
children, Thomas L, Susannah, Samuel, Russell, Lavina, Anna 
and Orville. Thomas L. was born September 21, 1803, in a 
log house which stood a little north of the site of the present 
handsome and commodious house which adorns the place. 
Here he spent his boyhood days, and received what education he 
could from the common schools of the day. He married Catha- 
rine B. Stover, a daughter of William Stover, to whom were 
born four children, a daughter and three sons, the former, Anna 
E., who married Benjamin Cone of Columbus, where her death 
occurred some twenty years since. The oldest son, Arthur L, 
lives in the house where he was born, having married Delphina, a 
daughter of James H. Dimmick, a respected citizen of Plymouth, 
N. Y. 

22 




THOMAS L. WILLCOX. 




MRS, THOMAS L. WILLCOX. 



Our First Old Home Week 



The two younger sons, Stephen K. and William R., own the 
original Willcox farm, which has been much improved, and 
become widely known. The former has charge of the farm, 
and has been a breeder of choice White Leghorn fowls, since 
the year 1872, exhibiting his birds and winning premiums in 
New York City, Washington, Pittsburg and all the leading cities, 
and shipping eggs and fowls to nearly every point in the United 
States, as well as to Canada, Trinidad, Germany, Ireland and 
South Africa. He was formerly a breeder of fine Devon Cattle, 
but now breeds Holstein-Friesians. He is also a breeder of 
Cheviot sheep, and continues to breed his fine strain of White 
Leghorns. Mr. Willcox is a member of the American Devon 
Cattle Club, American Cheviot Sheep Society, and also the 
Holstein-Friesian Association of America. He has held various 
otfices in the town, and was for two terms the efficient Treasurer 
of Chenango County, receiving handsome majorities at each 
election. 

Of William R., the youngest son, more will be found at the 
close of this article. 

Thomas L. Willcox became a most excellent citizen, holding 
a number of town offices to the satisfaction of all. In politics 
he was a Democrat, until the Free Soil movement was advanced, 
when he became a member of the Republican Party, always 
afterwards affiliating with that party. 

In earlier years he was a Captain in the State Militia, and 
was always at his post on general training day. No man ever 
lived in Smyrna who had more friends or was more esteemed 
than Thomas L. Willcox. His death occurred January 13, 
i884, and that of his wife May 14, 1904. Both rest in the 
family lot in the cemetery at Sherburne West Hill. 

Susannah Willcox married Stephen Knowles. There were 
no children, excepting one adopted daughter, Charlotte A. 
Buckley, a woman most highly esteemed by all who have made 
her acquaintance. She is now an octogenarian, passing her last 
remaining days with friends at Canastota, N. Y. 

23 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Samuel and Russell Willcox died when they were young men, 
and Orville's death came when he was but six years of age. 
Anna married Harlow Billings, and they had three children. 
Susannah D. was a most excellent woman of strong christian 
character, once a leading member of the Methodist Church, and 
an ardent worker in the Sunday School of that Church, and 
who was very much missed at her decease. She was a kind 
sister to her brother Pomeroy T., who still survives her. Samuel 
R., was a bright scholar, and graduated from the Eclectic College 
of Medicine, of Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 23rd of May, 1857, his 
untimely death occurring a year or two later at Norwich, where 
he had a large and lucrative practice. John, was the father of 
the late John and Gardner Willcox. who will both be remem- 
bered by nearly all our older citizens. 

John Willcox was bom on the hill northwest of Smyrna 
and spent his whole life in the town, no citizen being better 
known or more respected. At the age of seventeen he began 
the cabinet and undertaking business here, as an apprentice to 
Josiah Hayward, whose business he bought out at the age of 
twenty-one years, conducting the same for over sixty years or 
until his death in January, 1898. He was a kind, obliging and 
good natured citizen, friendly to all, and his companionship was 
sought after by his numerous friends. In politics he was a 
Republican, but he never allowed political prejudice to interfere 
with personal friendship. His wife was Sarah, a daughter of 
Anson Brooks, born September 5, 1878, (her mother Sally 
Brown born January 3l, 1794.) There were born to them 
three children, Avaline and Etta J., now both of Chicago, the 
former marrying Gardner Wilson, now deceased, the latter 
becoming the wife of Carlos L. Shepard of Joplin, once a resi- 
dent of Smyrna, now deceased, to whom were born one daugh- 
ter, Agnes L. Her second husband, also now deceased, was 
David A. Preston of Chicago, and there was bom to them one 
daughter, named Esther. Walter G., the only son, was bora 
here in 1859, and has remained here since his birth. He married 
Alida, a daughter of Charles Hartwell, and they have one son, 

34 




JOHN WILLCrX. 



Our First Old Home Week 



Fred H., now a student in the Massachusetts Institute of 
Technology, at Boston. Mr. Willcox still conducts his father's 
business which has become very successful. 

Gardner N. Willcox, his brother, was also a good citizen 
and a prosperous and well to do farmer, his death occurring in 
1869. His wife was Genora, the oldest daughter of the late 
Deacon Levi B. Collins, and there were four children: Gardner, 
the oldest, whose first wife was Sarah L., a daughter of Abel 
Comstock, by whom were three sons and one daughter, Abel C, 
now at Cornell University, Ralph C, at the Ithaca High School, 
Clarence, who remains at home, and Sarah L., who makes her 
home with her grandfather, Abel Comstock. His second wife 
was Ida L., a daughter of the late Zephania Dix, and there was 
one daughter, Alice. His third wife is Cora, a daughter of our 
townsman, Julius S. Barber. 

Hazard was the father of Hazard Willcox, and grandfather of 
Melvin Willcox, who now resides at the homestead on the 
Earlville Road and also of the late Dr. O. B. Willcox of Earl- 
ville. 

Betsey married a man named Curtis and raised a family of 
four children, one of whom, Mrs. Swift, living in Brooklyn, N. 
Y., visited Smyrna a few years since, but the writer has been 
unable to secure any further data regarding that branch of the 
family. 

It has been our intention to write but little concerning the 
present generation, leaving that for some future writer, but in a 
few special cases, we have deviated from the rule, when we have 
deemed that the occasion demanded it, and we are sure it will 
be most satisfactory to our readers, and that we will voice the 
sentiment of the entire community in making mention of the 
rise and rapid growth of one of our young men, born among us, 
esteemed by all, primarily educated in a little brown school 
house not far from our village, a most worthy scion of the 
family whose founder was Hopson Willcox, and whose respected 
father and mother, if living to-day, would well be proud of 

25 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



their youngest son, a great-grandson of the founder of the 
family in Chenango County. 

We refer to our friend and former townsman, William R, 
Willcox, some four years since chosen Park. Commissioner, by 
Hon. Seth Low, Mayor of New York, whose term of office gave 
him an enviable reputation as a most capable official, and who 
about a year since was appointed Postmaster of New York by 
President Theodore Roosevelt, an office which he is now tilling 
most acceptably to the entire city. We can perhaps best refer 
to him in the language of a New York newspaper, in an article 
published very soon after his appointment. 

"William R. Willcox, the recent selection of President Roose- 
velt to succeed the late Cornelius Van Cott as Postmaster of 
New York City is the youngest incumbent who has ever held 
that office. ' The new Postmaster was born in Smyrna, Chenango 
County, New York, in 1863. He obtained his education in the 
State Normal School at Brock port and at the University of 
Rochester. After his graduation he served as principal of the 
Webster Academy and in the Spring Valley High School. In 
1889 Mr. Willcox was graduated with high honors from the 
Columbia Law School and was admitted to the Bar in 1890. 
About this time he became interested in Sociology and Political 
and Economic matters, and wrote several articles on these subjects, 
and devoted much time and energy in work among the boys on 
the East Side. 

"Mr. Willcox's first appearance in the political field was in 
1900 when he became the Republican candidate for Congress in 
the Thirteenth District against O. H. P. Belmont, and it was at 
this time he made the phenomenal record of reducing the 
Democratic majority from seven or eight thousand to three 
thousand. 

"In 1901 Mayor Low appointed Mr. Willcox as Park Com- 
missioner and for two years he served as President of this 
Board. The work of establishing playgrounds for children was 
first undertaken during Mr. Willcox's administration, and in 

26 




WILLIAM R WILLCOX. 



Our First Old Home Week 



this work he was closely associated with Joseph A. Riis and 
other prominent East Side workers. During his entire term as 
Commissioner he was known as the man who "does things," 
and in no way was this so well proven as when on March 8th, 
1903, Commissioner Willcox, with forty laborers and a squad 
of policemen raided the contractor's strongest outpost in Bryant 
Park and destroyed the obnoxious stone crusher which was 
being operated by the subway contractors in defiance of repeated 
warnings from the Department, thus restoring Bryant Park, City 
Hall Park and Union Square to their normal conditions as 
public parks. Mr. Willcox was also intrusted with unusual 
responsibilities in the direction of large expenditures pertaining 
to the construction of the Public Library in Bryant Park, the 
addition to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the extensions 
of the American Museum of History." 

The new Postmaster is a member of the Union League, 
Century, Alpha Delta Phi, Republican, and the N. Y. Yacht 
Clubs, the Bar Association and Chamber of Commerce. About 
a year ago he married a daughter of William F. Havemeyer. 

Cousins of the Hopson Willcox family, who also settled in 
Smyrna, were Robert, who lived near Upperville; Thomas, who 
was the first settler on the farm known as the Munson Jersey 
Farm, recently owned by the Munson Brothers, and Jonathan, 
who lived and died in Norwich. Other distant cousins were 
early settlers in Lebanon, Oxford and other places in Central 
New York. 

William Stover came to Smyrna from Dutchess County 
very early, probably about 1 796, purchasing two lots near Dark 
Hollow where he lived until his death. He was a very popular 
man holding at various times nearly all the offices within the 
gift of his townsmen and it is said that when he was Supervisor 
of the town, town meetings were always opened with prayer. 
He was a conscientious man of strong convictions, with deep 
and ardent piety. For many years he was a prominent and 
leading member of the Methodist Church, contributing largely 

ti 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



to its support. He was strongly opposed to the taking of 
collections in the church on Sunday, it being to him a desecration 
of the day. He said he would prefer to pay all the bills himself 
rather than take a collection. Being unable to induce the church 
to discontinue the practice, he withdrew and built a "Meeting 
House" on his farm, styling the same a Reform Methodist Church 
and here until his death he was in the habit of meeting with his 
own family and as many neighbors as might come, usually in 
sufficient numbers to fill the house. The services were conducted 
in the usual manner, he himself usually preaching unless some 
traveling minister was present when he was invited to preach 
the sermon, those present joining in congregational singing. 

Mr. Stover was twice married. His first wife, Elizabeth 
Hollenbeck, died in 1806. His second wife was Betsey El wood, 
by whom there were the following children: Susan, who married 
Russell Willcox; Lydia, the wife of Alfred Seymour, formerly of 
Norwich, who removed later to Roscoe, Illinois; Benjamin, 
whose home was at Roscoe, 111., and who died in 1883, at 
Nordhoof, Cal., to which place he had gone for health; John 
A., an eccentric individual and a bachelor, now deceased, whose 
home was the present Anthony Chapman farm in Smyrna; 
Catherine B., who married the late Thomas L. Willcox, and 
Richard E., a leading and well to do citizen, who held various 
town offices, to the satisfaction of all his townsmen. He was a 
strong man in the Methodist Church, of which he was a most 
substantial member. It was through his influence as much as 
that of any other member that the church was remodeled in the 
summer of 1871, and it was during the years immediately fol- 
lowing that the church saw its most successful period. 

Richard E. Stover married Philura P. Keeler, and there 
were born two sons both of whom have kept up the high stand- 
ing of the family. William E., born in Smyrna nearly forty- 
six years ago, has always been held in the highest esteem by all 
our people, and still resides here. He was a Justice of the Peace 
for many years, Supervisor of the town from February, 1892, 

28 




BENJAMIN STOVER. 



Our First Old Home Week 



till February, 1901, and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors 
in 1898 

Burt W., his younger brother, bom some thirty-six years 
ago, spent his younger days in this town, later attending school 
at Phillips Academy, at Andover, Mass. He married Jessie, daugh- 
ter of George Nash of Poolville, and a few years later was 
appointed Deputy County Clerk of Chenango County, under 
County Clerk Jay G. Holmes. This position he held for 
several years and made many friends. He is at present manager 
of the Palmer House at Norwich, and as a landlord is very 
successful. 

Richard E. Stover and wife are both deceased. The death 
of the former occurred suddenly in the summer of 1873, being 
caused by a falling limb in the woods on his farm near Dark 
Hollow. He survived his wife some four years. 

Thomas Rex Tracy, youngest son of Thomas and Lucy 
Sprague Tracy, was bom in Lenox, Mass., October 23, 1770, 
being the seventh of a family of nine children. In 1777 his 
father died of smallpox in the Revolutionary Army, thus throw- 
ing the care of a large family upon the widowed mother. About 
1 780 Ebenezer, the only brother enlisted in the service, leaving 
Thomas, a boy not yet in his teens, the only male member of 
the household. March 1, 1792, he married Lydia Williams, of 
Washington, Mass., and settled on a portion on the homestead. 
There were mmors of richer lands in the then far west, in the 
valleys of Chenango and Chemung in Central New York, and 
following the example of many others, he sold his farm in 1796, 
and moved to Sherburne with an ox team and a single horse. 
Their entire household belongings were loaded into the cart with 
the mother, who accompanied them, while the wife with true 
yankee grit, made the journey on horseback, with her baby on 
her lap. 

He had previously purchased lands about two miles south of 
where the village of Smyrna now lies, and thither he w-nt, with 
his family, and while they of necessity endured the privations 

29 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



and hardships incident to settlement in a new country, they were 
neither discouraged nor disheartened. Game was plenty and 
being a good shot, he easily furnished his family with plenty of 
meat, and in the line of peltries, not a small portion of their 
bedding and clothing was secured from the surrounding forests, 
while the rich soil gave vegetables, and grain quite equal to the 
demands. Here his first wife died, in 1805, and in 1806 he 
married Abigail Sage, of Norwich, and soon after moved to 
Plymouth. There were born to them four children, of whom 
Harriet, the older, became the wife of William Stover. His 
second wife died at Plymouth in 18 13. In 18 17 he married 
Lydia Bell, of Pharsalia, and soon after moved back, to his old 
home in Smyrna, where he continued to reside until he removed 
to Bowling Green, Ohio, in 1837. 

The children of this last marriage were as follows, all born 
in Smyrna: Joseph Rex, who married Hannah Burdick, was 
a visitor at our old home week gathering, and though eighty- 
four years of age was hale and hearty, and one of those most 
interested in the proceedings on that occasion. His reminis- 
cences were most interesting to all present and he was most cor- 
dially greeted. (Mr. Tracey's death occurred at his home in To- 
ledo, after a short illness, in January, 1905.) Isaac married 
Sarah Norton and William married Susan Harrington, of Sher- 
burne West Hill. William was well and favorably known in 
this vicinity, being a leading member of the Odd Fellow fratern- 
ity in Chenango District. Lydia and Ruth both died during the 
year 1834, and Mason passed away in 1851. 

Thomas Rex Tracey was said to be a model of physique, 
standing six feet one and one-half inches in height, erect, broad 
shouldered and strong of limb. He made no profession of relig- 
ion but usually attended the Congregational Church. Living in 
those days when religious excitements were numerous and sensa- 
tional manifestations frequently seen, his strong mind was not 
easily led astray by any such so-called revelations. He took a 
lively interest in everything pertaining to the state or nation, and 

30. 




RICHARD E. STOVER. 



Our First Old Home Week 



was in his way an active politician, but always for principle and 
not for personal preferment. Nevertheless he served as a Justice 
of the Peace for several years in Smyrna, and was Postmaster 
at Bowling Green, Ohio, at the time of his death, December 
31, 1841. 

Apollos Allen with his family came from Gill, Mass., in 
1798, settling on a large farm, a portion of which is now the site 
of the present village of Smyrna, and building a log house where 
the so-called Eastman house now stands. His son, Chester 
Allen, who was but three years of age when the family ar- 
rived at their new home, became an excellent citizen, well and 
pleasantly remembered by many present day residents. He was 
a faithful member of the Methodist Church, joining that socie- 
ty when it was only a circuit station. Later he joined the Re- 
formed Methodist Church, of which William Stover was at 
the head, and afterwards the First Methodist Church in Smyrna, 
becoming one of its leading members. 

Ruth Allen, a sister of Chester, married Thomas Sweet, 
father of the late Leroy C. Sweet, and Marsena, a brother, mar- 
ried Hannah, a daughter of John Percival, a volunteer in the 
Revolutionary army from Lee, Mass. Their son, Samuel 
P., was born in Smyrna in 1814, and with no advantages save 
the common schools, established a wide reputation. In his early 
years, he taught the school at Sherburne Four Corners, later ris- 
ing rapidly to distinction, filling many responsible positions, 
serving as County Clerk of Livingston County, N. Y., ed- 
itor and proprietor of the Livingston County Republican, assist- 
ant editor of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, and at one 
time was connected with the Chenango Telegraph, in company 
with the late Hon. B. Gage Berry, of Norwich, 

Noah Wood, of Somers, Ct., bought at Enfield, in that 
state, on the 17th day of December, 1798, a tract of land in 
Chenango County some two miles below the present village of 
Earlville, known for many years thereafter as the Wood 
farm. Noah married Ascnith Calkins, of Somers, a woman of 

31 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



sterling character, who governed more than a generation in hon- 
esty and integrity, as she had the entire care of her nine children, 
the oldest being only sixteen years of age when the father died. 
The present house was raised July 3, 1812, and Mr. Wood's 
death occurred next day from apoplexy. Of their children, 
Noah, who became a resident of Syracuse,, N. Y., and Asen- 
ith, now deceased, were born in Connecticut. Julius was 
born in Smyrna in 1 799, growing to be a man of true Christian 
character, whose principles were deeply inculcated in the 
minds of his children, and reached out to those with whom 
he came in contact. For many years he was a Deacon of 
the Congregational Church of Smyrna, of which he was a leader 
and the last original member. In politics he was a strong 
Republican, one of the first to espouse the cause of anti-slav- 
ery in which he was followed by all his sons. 

He- married Amanda, a daughter of Captain Joseph Billings^ 
who became a fond wife and a devoted mother, whose memory 
will be always revered by her children as well as by all who 
knew her. Of their ten children, Devolson, the oldest, after 
leaving the village school, graduated at the Normal School at Al- 
bany, and afterwards finished a course with high honors at 
the Institute of Technology, at Hobokcn, N. J. As an instruc- 
tor, writer and author he was widely known, and was no doubt 
the most distinguished scholar who ever went out from Smyrna. 
In 1859 the University of Michigan conferred upon him the de- 
gree of Master of Science. The same year he received the 
degree of Master of Arts from Hamilton College, at Clinton, 
N. Y. . 

Hudson A. was an instructor in the same school, with 
his brother, also an author of several text books. He was a 
member of the 61 st Regiment, in the War of the Rebellion, 
and after its close was frequently called upon to deliver interest- 
ing talks to many different encampments of the Grand Army of 
the Republic. His beaming face, always so pleasant to those 
whom he met, showed out his abundance of good nature, and he 

33 



Our First Old Home Week 



was true to the principles taught him early in life. He 
gave much of his time, to the betterment of the Chinese in New 
York City, and spared no pains to do good in helpfulness 
to many others. He died at Mt. Vernon, N, Y., September 
28, 1903. Pomeroy died a few years since on the farm left him 
by his father, and where he lived for many years. Helen, 
the oldest daughter, married O. L. Munn of Chicago, who was a 
teacher all his early life, later a produce dealer in Chicago 
and spending his last years at Flushing, Mich. Amelia married 
David L. Buell of Union City, Mich., and Abi married Ira Buell 
of the same place, and both are now deceased. Celia A. 
became the wife of N. A. Beecher, a teacher and extensive nurs- 
eryman of Flint, Mich,, who very ably represented his district 
for four years in the Michigan Legislature. Emogene H. mar- 
ried Warren Hicks, a farmer and teacher at Waumego, Kansas, 
and Frank, the youngest son, also resides at that place, and 
like his brothers, has taught many terms of school and has long 
been interested in Sunday School work. 

The grand children of Julius Wood have nearly all retained 
the time honored principles of that worthy family, helping to fill 
the list of teachers, missionaries, preachers and workers in the 
cause of humanity. None of this prosperous family (except 
Julius, the son of Pomeroy) are now residents of Smyrna, 
but though gone from among us, the influence of the family has 
not been lost on the community. 

The Talcott Family. In the year 1799, the last year 
of the Eighteenth Century, the Talcott family of English descent 
came to Smyrna, and the descendants have ever since been resi- 
dents of the town. Joshua Talcott, who was born at Bol- 
ton, Ct, in 1776, bought the farm of Joseph Porter, our 
first settler, their log house standing in the center of a two hun- 
dred acre timber lot. The only way out of it was by 
a blazed trail, but as soon as a road was laid out a more 
comfortable and commodious house was erected. Mr. Talcott 
was known as one of the best citizens of the town, upright 
in his dealings with his fellow townsmen and was held in the 

33 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



highest regard by all. He married Sarissa Taylor, of Vermont, 
and eight children were born to them, all of whom now are de- 
ceased. Julia married and moved to Joliet, 111., where her 
death occurred at an advanced age; Sarissa became the wife 
of the late Smith A. Cleveland, an honored and respected 
citizen of New Hartford at the time of his death; Olive married 
Eli Felt, a son of Asa Felt, one of the early settlers of 
North Carolina, carrying on an extensive cotton plantation; 
Henry P. was a worthy citizen of Wellsville, Steuben 
County, settling there in 1843; Joshua, Jr., was born in Smyrna 
in 1808 but passed away in the vigor of his manhood in his 
23rd year; Sally A. was an invalid and a great sufferer, spending 
the most of her life at the old homestead but later moving 
to Joliet, where her death occurred at the home of her daughter 
in 1874. Three of the children passed away in their early years. 

Leman H. succeeded his father upon the homestead and 
by additional purchases became possessed of a large and valuable 
farm. He was twice married, his first wife being the ac- 
complished daughter of Obadiah Spencer, an early resident 
of the town and a sister of the late Woodbridge Spencer. Her 
death occurred some two years after the marriage leaving an in- 
fant daughter, now our greatly esteemed friend and neighbor, 
Mrs. Ann Talcott Chapman, wife of the late S. S. Chapman, 
the only remaining member of the Talcott family in the town. 
All our citizens will sincerely hope for her a long life and a 
most pleasant one, and that all her remaining years may 
be spent in the town of her nativity. Her only child and 
son, William L. Chapman, now grown to manhood, lives near 
the old home with his most excellent wife, Mary L, 
a daughter of Bradley Wilcox of Earlville, and he is a most 
worthy scion of the family, having earned the highest re- 
gards from all with whom he is acquainted. 

Mr. Talcott subsequently married Aurora, a daughter of Phi- 
lo Holcomb, an early resident of the town of Plymouth, an 
excellent woman, affectionate, neighborly and sympathetic, 
always ready to render aid in cases of sickness and suffer- 

34 




LEMAN H. TALCOTT. 



Our First Old Home Week 



\ng. Leman was a popular citizen, a man of most strict 
integrity, perhaps best known among members of fraternal 
circles in which he had many friends. He was a member 
of Smyrna lodge, No. 116, I. O. O. F., and was said to 
have been installed as treasurer of that organization for thirty 
consecutive terms. He was also a member of Sherburne Lodge, 
No. 444, F. & A. M., and Harmony Chapter, No. I5l, R. A. M., 
of Norwich, and also Norwich Commandery, No. 46, K. T., 
of Norwich. His death occurred December 9, 1895, at the 
age of 85 years. His funeral was conducted by Sherburne 
Lodge, F. & A. M., all the above organizations acting as escort. 

Joshua Talcott died at the homestead January 8, 1867, 
at the age of 90 years. Nearly all the family are buried 
in the Talcott lot in the West Burial Ground at Smyrna. 

Harvey Talcott, a brother of Joshua Talcott, and also 
an early settler of the town, built the house so long known 
as the Sweet homestead in this village. An enterprising citizen, 
he entered the mercantile business in the Elmore building, now 
the Hayward house, continuing there until 1837, when he 
built the store used many years by the Dixons, and con- 
ducted his business in that store until his decease in 1848. He 
was also the owner of several farms in this vicinity and 
was one of the first trustees of the village of Smyrna, and 
instrumental in its incorporation. His wife was Mary Wal- 
lace and they both came from Connecticut, the family consisting 
of several children, among them Dwight, who moved to Chica- 
go and became at one time closely interested with Potter Palmer 
and Hutchinson in real estate and live stock business in 
Chicago's early days; Philura married Benjamin Hart well, 
an excellent citizen of our town for many years, concern- 
ing whom more will be found in another portion of this volume; 
Amelia C. married our former well-known and respected towns- 
man Leroy C. Sweet; Mary married James O. Ransom, once in 
business in the present Nearing store. Two sons survive 
them at Hammondton, N. J. — Harvey and Frank, who will 
be pleasantly remembered by many. Maria married the late Na- 

35 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



than P. Wheeler of Norwich, N. Y., and later of Chica- 
go; and Charlotte married Thomas Miller. They are both 
living at Chicago, their husbands being now deceased. 

We regret our inability to give a more extended notice 
of this interesting family so long residents of the town. 

ISAAC Bills came from Bennington, Vt., in 1800 with 
Lucy Dix Bills, his wife, a cousin of General John A. 
Dix of the regular army and later Governor of the State 
of New York. They built a log house on their new farm, 
then a wilderness, now known as the Niles farm near Upperville, 
and lived and died there, he having reached the age of 88 
years, she the age of 86. Of the family were five daugh- 
ters, each living more than their allotted three score years 
and ten, as follows: Miranda Dix, Lucy, the wife of the 
late Rowland Teflft, both of whom died at St Charles, 
Mich. ; Artheusa Ames, Elvira Niles and Emily Niles whose death 
occurred at the original Bills homestead some three years 
ago. The homestead is now occupied by Wells and Burt Niles, 
who are grandchildren of the original purchaser. 

The Simons Family is one of the oldest in our town 
and the descendants have been well known. They came 
here about the beginning of the Nineteenth Century, bring- 
ing with them a high standard of character and sterling integrity. 
Joseph Simons was born at Lebanon, Windham County, 
Connecticut, on the 23d of May, 1757, where he grew to maturi- 
ty and married. Soon after he came to the new country of New 
York settling on the present Simons farm, which has since been 
in the family name, and is now owned by a grandson, J. 
Bennett Simons, a life-long resident of the town. 

The old Simons log house was located not far from the pre- 
sent farm house, on the site of the fine apple orchard now upon 
the place. In 1807 Mr. Simons represented the County of 
Chenango in the State Legislature, filling the office to the 
satisfaction of all his constituents, and was elected Supervisor of 
the town in 1809, the year following the division of the 

36 



Our First Old Home Week 



town of Sherburne, and the interests of the new town were said 
to have been most excellently cared for, to such an extent that 
always thereafter he was held in the highest esteem by all his 
townsmen. He was twice married, and had one son, Cyrus, 
born August 5, 1779, who married Nancy, a daughter of Jared 
Bennett, born December 21, 1800, and who died at the Simons 
homestead December 24, 1891, in her 9 1st year. 

Of their children, Wells was born October 11, 1824, and 
died in his nineteenth year. Obed C was bom May 11, 1829. 
He married Diadema Walker and both are still with us at a good 
old age. Their only child and daughter is Flora W., the wife of 
our townsman, Lynn F. Williams. Jared B. was born June 19, 
1831, and still retains the ownership of the original Simons 
farm. His first wife, Cordelia E., a daughter of the late Gard- 
ner Butts, left one son, Merton C, who with his wife and fam- 
ily remain with the father upon the farm. His second wife was 
Mahala Fradenburg, by whom are one son and two daughters. 
Hoyt W., of Falls Village, Conn., and two daughters, Alice and 
Grace, the latter the wife of William Ryan, of Oxford. Jerome 
Simons was born May 31, 1833, and married Phoebe Williams 
of Sherburne. Both are now deceased. One son was born to 
them, Cyrus Wells, who with his family of four children resides 
at the old home in Smyrna village. Parthena was born June 
15, 1838, and married Tilly Harrington. They are now re- 
spected residents of our village. A son and a daugnter once 
graced their home, but are now deceased. Olive Simons was 
born June 2, 1827, and married Augustin Pier, a leading citizen. 
Both are now deceased. Many of the Simons family rest in the 
East Burial Ground in this village. 

Elder Comfort Record removed over a century ago from 
Rhode Island to Smyrna, where he made his home during a long 
and useful life of eighty-two years. He was a plain mkn of the 
primitive style, a preacher of the Baptist persuasion, who could 
both earn his bread by skilled labor and feed his flock wim the 
Bread of Life. Specimens of his handiwork, and memories of 

37 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



his sermons, are among the carefully cherished treasures of those 
who, in childhood, regarded his stately form and pleasant face 
and voice with admiration and reverence. He was a "Comfort" 
indeed to those enjoying his visitations on festive occasions, or 
in the hour of bereavement, at the homes where his genial pres- 
ence was ever welcome. The late pastors Corey and Earle, of 
the Baptist church in Smyrna, both of whom became noted 
evangelists later in life, very gladly in the early days availed 
themselves of the wise counsel of "Father Record." 

Mr. Record was a staunch Whig, always casting his vote for 
the candidates of that party. He had one daughter and a son, 
and after the death of his wife his declining years were spent 
with his son, J. Sheffield Record, who reared a family of five 
sons and two daughters. One of them was William C, a life 
long and respected resident of our town, whose death occurred in 
October, 1904. He is survived by his wife, a sister of the late 
Clinton G. Sherman, and one son George S., who with his fam- 
ily remains upon the farm. Other children of Sheffield Record 
wereAdoIphus and Frank, both once well known here, Robert, a 
member of the 61st Regiment, N. Y. S. V., in the war of the re- 
bellion, now at Otselic with his family, and Orlando W., the 
youngest son, a successful teacher at Smyrna Union School in 
the sixties, and later at Norwich Academy, now a well to do 
citizen of Thayer, Kansas, His wife was Emma, the youngest 
daughter of the late Rowland Teflft. 

Chester Hammond came to Smyrna very early, settling 
on the farm once known as the Brooks farm, now owned by 
Walter Gardner. Here he lived many years, a leading citizen, 
and one of the original members of the First Congregational 
Church, doing more to build up and sustain that organization 
than any other man, and a deacon of that church from its first 
formation until he removed from the town. After selling his 
farm, he moved to Union City, Michigan, then a new state, and 
at once took a leading position, organizing a new Congrega- 
tional Church, which has since been known as a daughter of 

the Smyrna Church. 

38 



Our First Old Home Week 



With his broad, enterprising spirit, he soon found his way to 
the hearts of the people in that vicinity, and was elected Judge 
of the Court, for which his talents and impartiality eminently 
qualified him. He filled many offices of trust and profit in the 
state of his adoption. He had six sons and three daughters of 
whom one son and one daughter were buried in Smyrna. 

Of the sons, Charles G., the eldest, made a national reputa- 
tion. Henry L. was an eminent clergvman and married Jane, 
a daughter of the late Dr. Nicholas B. Mead, for many years a 
leading physician of Smyrna. Andrew T. was many years 
cashier of one of the largest banks of Hartford, Ct,, where he 
died many years ago, and no doubt all the Hammond family 
are now deceased. 

Next west of the Hammond farm, the one long owned by J. 
Monroe Billings, was settled by Joseph Eccleston, said to be a 
good citizen, a kind neighbor, and excellent farmer, rearing a 
large family and later moving to Cortland. 

The Sweet Family. Just west of this farm, was the 
Sweet farm, until recently owned by one of the descendants of 
the original owner. John Sweet settled on this farm very early, 
though concerning him or his family we are able to learn but 
little. At his decease the farm was occupied by his son 
Thomas Sweet, said to have been a prosperous farmer, accumu- 
lating a considerable fortune. He married Ruth, a daughter of 
Marsena Allen, with whom he lived a life of usefulness, and at 
its close both were laid at rest in the old family burying ground 
upon the farm. They had one son, Leroy C. Sweet, born Octo- 
ber 19, 1825, who became a leading citizen, always standing 
for the interests of the town and community in which he resid- 
ed, endearing himself to all by many acts of neighborly kind- 
ness. In politics he was a Democrat and a prominent leader of 
the party in the town and county. 

On February 16, 1847, he married Amelia C, a daughter of 
Harvey Talcott, a most estimable woman, a faithful wife, and a 
fond mother. She was always interested in matters pertaining 

39 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



to the welfare of her native town and its people, always remem- 
bering and seemingly much enjoying referring to old residents 
and friends, and whether they were in adversity or prosperity, 
interesting herself in their welfare. Probably no other person 
knew of the whereabouts of as many old Smyrnaites as did 
Mrs. Sweet. 

The death of a young daughter, Kittie, during the fifties, and 
of the oldest son, Thomas H., a young man of most brilliant 
promise, whose death took place on June 19, 1868, in his twen- 
tieth year, saddened the hearts of this worthy couple for many 
years, and their sorrow was never fully effaced. Mr. Sweet's 
death occurred June 27, 1886, and that of his wife January 5, 
1903, and both are buried in the cemetery at Sherburne West 
Hill. 

They are survived by two sons and one daughter. Dwight 
L. is a staid and sturdy citizen, his wife being the only daughter 
of the late Robert H. Willcox. They have one daughter, Kate 
A., a graduate of Norwich High School, and later a graduate of 
the Boston School of Physical Training, now a successful 
teacher of that art at East Orange, N. J. 

Their son, Clinton R., a most excellent young man, closed 
his earthly career on the 11th day of May, 1893, in his nine- 
teenth year. His death was a sad and lamentable loss to the 
family and friends. 

Fred. Allen Sweet, the youngest son, is an extensive dealer 
in cattle and who resides at the Sweet homestead. He married 
Adellah, the youngest daughter of Franklin D. Coy, now de- 
ceased, and they have one son, Franklin Leroy, now in his 
eighteenth year. Congratulations are now in order for Mr. 
Sweet and his new wife, Miss Maude Cashman, the oldest daugh- 
ter of our village merchant, the happy event that joined them 
taking place at the home of the bride on the evening of Septem- 
ber 27th. 

Mary A., the daughter of Leroy and Amelia C. Sweet, married 
Irving J. Colwell, a son of Spencer Colwell of Sherburne, and they 

40 




LEROY C. SWEET. 



Our First Old Home Week 



have one young son, Howard, and an infant son, Robert. Their 
home is in the city of Auburn, this state. 

Francis Reynolds owned a small house and lot nearly 
opposite the Sweet farm, where he lived many years, passing 
away at a good old age. Among his numerous children were 
the late Van Rensselaer Reynolds, an excellent farmer and 
worthy citizen of Sherburne Hill. Harriet, the oldest daughter, 
married Wilson Youngs, a well to do farmer of the town of Ply- 
mouth, who later lived at Smyrna village; and Jane, a maiden 
lady, who lived many years in Smyrna where she had many 
friends. 

Benjamin Reynolds settled on a farm south of the Sweet 
farm, living there many years previous to his death. He was a 
Quaker of the Hicksite persuasion and a kind hearted neighbor 
respected by all. Among his children were Oliver, a long time 
resident of our town, who spent his latter days in Sherburne; 
and Calista, the youngest daughter, who first married a gentleman 
named Willcox, and after his decease, became the wife of the 
late Francis E. Dimmick. 

Arnold Briggs settled on the farm south of the Benjamin 
Reynolds place, and was said to have been one of the best citi- 
zens of the town and none was more highly respected. A lead- 
ing member of the Society of Friends, adorning his profession 
with a well ordered life, he was a kind neighbor having great 
sympathy for all in affliction. He had six children as follows: 
Marvin the oldest, who married Orel Allen, a noble woman, a 
sister of the late Chester Allen and of the mother of the late 
Leroy C. Sweet; Myron, who married Phila Ackley, a daughter 
of Samuel Ackley, a respected settler of that neighborhood, 
spending the most of his life in Smyrna, but later buying the old 
Lathrop place in Sherburne, where he and his wife passed the 
remainder of their days; and Ruth, who married a gentleman 
named Race, of Sherburne, who died in the prime of his life. 
Mrs. Race, together with her sisters, Lavinia and Averena, who 
married Benjamin Stover, made their home in Smyrna for 
many years. They were faithful members of the Friends Church 

41 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



and were highly respected and most excellent neighbors as the 
writer can truthfully testify. 

RUFUS Briggs settled on the farm south of Arnold's farm, 
and like his brother was a leading and worthy member of the 
Society of Friends, living and dying on the farm where he first 
settled. He was three times married and had fourteen children, 
all now deceased. His farm is now owned and occupied by 
Edgar L. Close. 

George Bixby owned the farm south of the Rufus Briggs 
farm, on which he built a small distillery as has been before 
stated. Mr. Bixby was a jovial old gentleman, kind hearted and 
generous, and was missed when he afterwards sold his farm to 
Isaac Foote and Jethro Hatch and moved to Cattaraugus 
County. 

Samuel Carver was one of the earliest settlers in the town, 
settling on a farm on the hillside, east of the present Bailey 
farm, still known as Carver Hill. 

Charles Kelsey settled on a small farm adjoining the Car- 
ver farm, and was said to have been a very kind and generous 
neighbor, having several children. The farm was later pur- 
chased by Thomas Gooch, who died there at an advanced age. 
He was said to have been a fine, portly old gentleman, a Quaker 
and one of the best of neighbors and friends. At his decease 
his heirs sold the place to Roswell Reynolds who resold it to 
other parties, and it is now included in the farm of Henry Bailey 
now of Norwich. 

Samuel Ackley settled on the farm now owned by Nelson 
Cole. He built one of the first saw mills in town, which was 
greatly appreciated by the early inhabitants. It stood beside a 
small brook which had its rise on the Rufus Briggs farm, and 
was fed mainly by a cold spring. His mill pond was stocked 
with speckled trout and in its pure, cold water they rapidly mul- 
tiplied, growing to an extremely large size. The same brook 
has ever since been a favorite place for trout, and retaining the 
name of "Ackley Brook." Mr. Ackley sold his farm to Thomp- 
son Fisher, and it is now the property of Floyd W. Brooks. 

42 



Our First Old Home Week 



Samuel Kelsey, a brother of Charles, settled on a farm 
south of and adjoining the Ackley farm. He was a good neigh- 
bor, an earnest christian man and a member of the Baptist 
Church of Smyrna. He was elected Justice of the Peace for 
many years, and finally sold his farm and moved to the western 
part of the state. He had six children. Julius Kelsey the only 
one to remam in the town, was engaged in the grocery business 
for many years, subsequently purchasing a hotel and continuing 
in that business until his death in the spring of 1864. The old 
building still stands, a relic of the past, a quaint old structure. 
Only a few will remember it when it was a hostelry, and recall 
its weather beaten sign, "J. Kelsey, Inn." In this building in the 
forties was "Washington Hall,'' and in the sixties and seventies 
the same rooms were used by the Odd Fellows and Good Tem- 
plars. Here in the days gone by elections were held, and on 
such occasions occurred the old time wrestling matches, and, in 
the road in front, the games of old-fashioned base ball, which 
will be most pleasantly remembered by the boys and young men 
of those days. 

Mr. Kelsey married a daughter of Hial Hart, a worthy citi- 
zen, who, from his occupation as a carpenter and joiner received 
the title of "Boss Hart." They had several children, of whom 
Corinthia, the oldest, married Ralph Pendleton. They now re- 
side at Lawrence, Kan. Gertrude married a gentleman named 
Martenis and they reside in Denver, Col. Devillo is still a re- 
spected citizen of Manlius, N. Y., and Denison died in Chicago, 
in the summer of 1904. Julius, the youngest son, was a soldier 
in the war of the rebellion, being a member of the 6lst N. Y. 
Infantry. He was killed in battle, 

Sarah P. Hart, a daughter of Hial Hart, and sister of Mrs. 
Kelsey, was a much esteemed lady once well known in our 
community. She was a prominent member of the Congrega- 
tional Church, and a strong supporter of that Society. In her 
will she left a bequest of $500, the interest on which was to be 
used in caring for and keeping up the West Burying Ground at 
Smyrna village, where herself and her family, as well as the 

43 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



family of Julius Kelsey, are laid at rest. A fine Scotch granite 
monument marks their final resting place. 

Among others who settled in Smyrna, were John Parsons, 
who married Flavia, a daughter of John Billings. He bought 
lot number one in the town, the same falling to his son Alfred 
Parsons, who became a most influential and substantial citizen 
of that part of the town. The same premises are now owned 
by his son, John R. Parsons. 

Alpheus Hall purchased the farm now occupied by his 
youngest grandson, William P. Hall, whose father, Solomon 
Hall, was an excellent farmer citizen, a strong Democrat of the 
old school, ably representing Chenango County in the New 
York Assembly of 1845. 

Luke Hall came from Connecticut, settling on the farm in 
the north part of the town, known later as the Hall farm, the 
property of his son, Erastus G. Hall none of whose excellent 
family are now residents of this town. Of the family, John 
and Fred are residents of California; Seth, a prosperous nur- 
seryman of Illinois, and Esther resides at Preston, this couniy, 
the wife of Zanoni Boyden. 

Joseph Matthewson was born in Connecticut, and moved 
to Smyrna in the spring of 1805. He married Betsey Allen, a 
near relative of Col. Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame, and to 
them were born nine children. George W., the oldest, married 
Electa, a daughter of the late Seymour Isbell of Smyrna, and in 
later years became proprietor of a grist and saw mill, and also a 
large acreage of land in the town. His later years were spent 
in the town of Otselic, where he enjoyed the confidence of all 
his townsmen. Their children were Charles G., who was once 
a prosperous farmer in our town; another son, Andrew, and a 
daughter named Sabria. 

Another son of Joseph, was Charles, so long a resident of 
Upperville, but now deceased. In his day he was a prosperous 
farmer and good citizen. His first wife was Eliza A. Tobey, by 
whom were born two sons, Otis G., of Malta, 111., where he is 

44 



Our First Old Home Week 



prosperous and enjoying life, and retains a lively interest in his 
old home town and its people. Also Albert, born in Smyrna 
early in the fifties, now a resident of the State of Kansas. The 
Matthewson family, were people of high standing in our com- 
munity, and had the respect of all who knew them. 

The Munsons are of English descent and trace their ancestry 
to Thomas Munson, who was born in England in 1612; came 
thence as a young man to Hartford, Ct.; was a soldier in the 
Pequot War, and later moved to New Haven, where he was one 
of the founders of that colony and city. Among various offices 
he held, was that of Lieutenant, and later Captain of the Stand- 
ing Army of New Haven Colony. 

His descendants were among the foremost in settling and civ- 
ilizing that portion of the country previous to the Revolution, and 
many of the Munson descendants entered that conflict, partici- 
pated in its hardships and struggles as officers or privates, and 
were among those who greatly rejoiced in the final success of 
the American forces. 

The death of Thomas Munson occurred at New Haven, May 
7, 1685, and he was buried in the yard, (now the "Green,") 
near the old First Church, of which he was one of the original 
and foremost members. The old yard has long since been 
cleared away and the slab of sandstone that marked his last 
resting place has been removed to the old Grove Street Ceme- 
tery, not far away. It bears the following inscription, still leg- 
ible : 

THOMAS MVNSON, 

AGED 73, Deceased. 

The 7th of 5th Mo., 

1685. 

John Munson came from Barkhamsted, Ct., with his family 
in the spring of 1809, settling on the present Munson home- 
stead where he built a log house, just northwest of the site on 
which the old house stood that was taken down some fifteen 

45 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



years ago. His lands then included nearly all of those north of 
the present village of Smyrna, and also the Hutchinson and 
Allen mills, on Pleasant Brook, to which he not long after added 
a distillery. He conducted this business very successfully till his 
death, December 13, 1827, at the age of 42 years. Mr. Munson 
was one of the leading men in the town in his day, holding, 
among other offices, that of Justice of the Peace for many years, 
his decisions usually meeting with the approbation of all the par- 
ties interested. 

He married Sally, a daughter of John Merrell, of Barkham- 
sted, Ct. She was of Highland Scotch descent, a woman ad- 
mired by all who knew her. She passed away at the Munson 
homestead, January 29, 1862, at the age of 76 years. Two 
daughters came with them to the new settlement. Hannah, the 
older, in later years became the wife of Jonathan Shepardson, 
and died at the home of her only son, Andrew Shepardson, No- 
vember 14, 1877, in her 72d year. Eliza, the younger, married 
Phillip Mead of Washington county, this state, whose home was 
for many years the farm of the late Thomas Purdie, now owned 
by Clarence Moore. She died at the home of her daughter in 
Smyrna village March 11, 1884, in her 76th year. 

Eliza's children were John Munson Mead, the only son, who 
died at Lisle, N. Y., in the spring of 1852, at the age of 24 years; 
Sarah J., who married John Button of Milwaukee, Wis., and 
died November 3, 1875, at her home in Smyrna, in her 44th 
year. To them were born two sons, John M., now a resident of 
Rochester, N. Y., a railroad engineer by occupation, and George 
E., the younger, who passed away at the home of his aunt, Mrs. 
Butts, in Sherburne, in the fall of 1891, in his 28th year. 

Amanda Mead Butts was born in Smyrna, in 1829. Her first 
husband was Albertus Merritt, of Milwaukee, Wis., by whom two 
sons were born, James the older, and Albert the younger. 
Father and sons are now deceased. Her second husband was 
the late Gardner Butts, of Smyrna, once well known here as a 
leading farmer and citizen. His death occurred in Smyrna vil- 

46 




ALBERT MUNSON. 



Our First Old Home Week 



lage in the spring of 1880. Mrs. Butts died at her home in 
Sherburne, August 7, 1898, in her 69th year. 

Albert Munson, the only son of John and Sally Munson, 
was born in Smyrna, January 4, 1811, at the Munson Home- 
stead, now the home of his oldest son John H. Munson. As a 
boy he attended the district school at home, and later spent a 
few years at Utica, at one time holding a position in the Post 
Office in that city. In later years he was in the employ of his 
uncle, Alfred Munson, then a prominent manufacturer of that 
city. The death of his father and the burning of the mill and 
distillery caused him to return home to the assistance of the 
family. 

The distillery was never rebuilt, but the grist mill was re- 
erected in 1836 by the Munson estate, when he and his brother- 
in-law, Jonathan Shepardson, took charge of the business, the 
latter continuing with him till his death in the spring of 1842. 
After his decease the business was successfully conducted by Al- 
bert till his death in the spring of 1880. 

In those days the vicinity was a wheat growing section, and 
flour from this mill went all through the surrounding country; 
and though rolls and purifiers had never been dreamed of, yet 
the flour was considered of excellent quality, and "Munson's Su- 
perlative Flour," was a well known commodity. "Mother's 
Bread" is frequently mentioned at the present day, but it should 
be remembered that father's flour was also needed to produce 
the genuine article. 

In May, 1846, Albert Munson married Hannah, daughter of 
George Merrell, of Barkhamsted, Ct., who brought from her New 
England home the highest conceptions of morality and religion, 
inherited from parents richly imbued with the same and from 
teachings of many generations preceding them. Her death oc- 
curred in Smyrna, November 29, 1870, at the age of fifty-one 
years, and that of the only daughter, Sarah E, the wife of the 
late Frank H. Dimmick, October 29, 1879, in her 3 1st year. 
Were we to be asked to place an inscription upon the monu- 

47 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



ment which marks their final resting place, none to us would 
seem more appropriate than the one inscribed upon the old Mer- 
rill monument in the graveyard at Barkhamsted, dedicated to 
the mother and grandmother. It reads, "Beloved in life, lament- 
ed in death, she hath left a good nam«, which is far better than 
riches." 

Mr. Munson was a man well liked by all, whose life was 
spent in his business; and though usually quiet and reserved, his 
circle of friends extended to all the surrounding towns. He be- 
longed to that class of men, among whom were John Willcox, 
Thomas L. Willcox, and Benjamin Card; nearly the same age, 
none just alike, yet all self-made, and as they grew into each 
other's confidence and esteem, they grew also into the honorable 
respect of all their townsmen. In politics he was what might 
be termed a Jacksonian Democrat, but was never an office seek- 
er. He cast his first vote for President in 1832 for Andrew 
Jackson, his last in 1876, for Samuel J. Tilden. His death oc- 
curred on the 28th day of May, 1880, at the age of 69 years. 

The old Munson Mill with its two old fashioned run of 
French Buhr mill stones, well known for many miles around, 
was burned on April 24, 1888, and has never been rebuilt. The 
old dam has been nearly washed away, and there is little left 
save the ruins of its foundations. The mosses have gathered 
upon what remains of [he old wooden water wheels; the walls of 
the old mill are fast crumbling away; bushes and weeds grow 
over the old fireplace once used in the old distillery, but as in the 
days gone by, the rocks are still there, the brook still flows, and 
the sound of its murmurings and ripplings, as among the rocks 
it takes its peaceful course, will ever bring fond recollections and 
tender memories to the mind of the writer as does no other spot 
on earth. 

Samuel Northup was born in September, 1792, at South 
Kingston, R. I. His father, with his family of six sons and one 
daughter, came to a new home on the Susquehanna a mile or 
two below Otego, in 1802, where his boyhood passed. He was 

48 



Our First Old Home Week 



apprenticed to Harmon Treadwell to learn the carpenter's trade 
and came with him to Smyrna in October, 1810, stopping the 
first night at Roger Case's, in the old house once occupied by the 
late William C Record, now used as a barn. Remaining there 
he attended the district school the first winter, but as there was 
only a small amount of building at that time, he went on to 
Canada with his employer and another, where they found more 
work. They had one horse which they rode alternately, walk- 
ing with their tools on their back between rides. They hastily 
returned to Smyrna on the eve of the war of I8l2, and Smyrna 
was henceforth his home. He purchased his time of Treadwell 
before he was of age, and started life for himself. January 20, 
I8l9, he married Rachel Rexford, whose father, Joel Rexford, 
came to Sherburne from Barkhamsted, Ct., with his family in 
1808 and they began their home life March 20, I8l9, in a part 
of the house now the property of Cortland L. Ferris. While 
living here he built a part of the house known as the Dixon 
house now owned by Ellis McCotter. 

In winter seasons when building was dull he made house- 
hold furniture, which had a ready sale, showing his skill as a me- 
chanic. He later lived upon the Guthrie — Munson place, and built 
the house which was burned in the spring of 1876. This place 
was exchanged with Elder Comfort Record in April, 1826, for his 
farm, and here he began farm life. In future purchases he increased 
his farm to 220 acres, the same now owned by Lynn F. Williams. 
In politics Mr. Northup was a whig, and faithful to that party un- 
til the organization merged into that of the Republican party. 
He was said to have served his town in every official capacity 
from constable to supervisor. Accustomed to hard work from 
a boy, he seemed to enjoy it, and was known as a peacemaker 
among his neighbors and friends, saving many lawsuits and quar- 
rels by his friendly advice. He was a regular attendant and sup- 
porter of the Congregational church; his life was successful and 
full of usefulness until its setting sun, which faded away June 
17, 1871, in his 79th year. His wife, surviving him fifteen 
years, passed away April 24, 1886, in her 89th year. 

49 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



The children were Yale, Emily, Rachel and Martha. Yale mar- 
ried Lovisa, a daughter of Allen Rexford, by whom were four 
children. Mary and Emma are both deceased. The former be- 
came the wife of the late Dr. A. J. Purdie of Otselic, by whom 
were three daughters and one son; and the latter married Wil- 
liam E. Tyler, now of Lebanon, who with his two sons and 
three daughters survive her. Sarah and Addie, the younger 
daughters, are residents of our village and are held in the highest 
esteem by all. Yale Northup was always interested in public af- 
fairs and was one of the first railroad commissioners of the town 
after the construction of the New York and Oswego Midland 
railroad. He also held various other offices, adhering strictly to 
the principles of the Republican party, and always anxious for 
its success. His best place was as an election officer, for which 
he was usually chosen and mistakes were scarcely ever found 
when he was Chairman of the Election Board. Mr. Northup 
died December 5, 1890, in his 69th year, having survived his es- 
timable wife five years, her death occurring June 22, 1885, in 
her 64th year. 

Rachel Northup married the late Benjamin Barber, of Nor- 
wich, where she still resides; Emily married Henry C. Mann, of 
Hamilton, and is now a respected resident of that village; Mar- 
tha still remains with us, a most worthy descendant of the fam- 
ily, a maiden lady respected by all, much interested in church 
work, a faithful and conscientious member of the Congrega- 
tional Church in this village. It is most earnestly hoped by all 
who know her, that she may long remain with us. 

Richard Lawson was pressed into Burgoyne's army, with 
two cousins in England, while away from home attending 
school, and without being allowed to visit their homes before 
going into the service, were hurried away and came over to fight 
against the Colonies at the beginning of the war of the Revolu- 
tion. At the close of two years, having served faithfully the 
mother country, they asked for their release but were told they 
must remain another year, and at the end of the third year they 
again asked for an honorable discharge, but were this time in- 

50 




YALE NORTHUP. 



Our First Old Home Week 



formed that ihty must remain till the close of the war. Soon 
after this they deserted to the American army, and enlisted in 
that cause for which act they never heard again from their 
friends or home. 

Richard Lawson married Jerusha Carver, first living in 
Chautauqua County, in Western New York, but afterwards 
moving to Earlville, where both died and are buried in the cem- 
etery in that village. To them were born six children, among 
them Samuel C, a life-long citizen of Smyrna, who came, at 
four years of age, to live in the family of Russel Case, then a 
prominent citizen here. In 1829 he married Aurelia, a daughter 
of Peter Merritt, and by the marriage were seven children, each 
growing up in the esteem of relatives and friends, filling places 
of usefulness in other homes. They were Jerusha, Jennie, Net- 
tie A., Sylvia, Ellen, Richard M. and Frank M. Jerusha mar- 
ried Abel Curtis of Madison; both arc now deceased; Jennie mar- 
ried Orange E. Loomis, a progressive farmer of Hubbardsville, 
N. Y., where they have a pleasant and attractive home, and with 
her is her sister, Nettie A., who is kindly given a home among 
them. They have an interesting family and always have a kind 
word for the old home and their old neighbors and friends. 
Sylvia married Eugene A. Covey and spent her last days in 
sunny California, in a home she most dearly loved, with her 
husband and three children, her daughter now deceased. She 
was a writer of marked ability, both of prose and poetry. Her 
most notable work perhaps, "Aunt Beck's Army Life," was pub- 
lished during the civil war. Of the beauty, flowers and fruits of 
Los Angeles, her home, and Catalina Island, where she often vis- 
ited, she never wearied telling, and her letters describing those 
interesting resorts, were always anxiously looked for and most 
welcome to their recipients. Richard M. married Amelia Pud- 
ney, of Sherburne, and was always a popular and good natured 
citizen, industrious and persevering, and for many years an 
obliging clerk in the store of Dixon Brothers in this village. He 
passed away at Utica several years since, leaving the wife and 
family to mourn his loss. Frank M. married Ellen Adams, of 

51 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



DeRuyter, and has a family of grown up children. He still 
lives to enjoy life and to hold in sweet remembrance the good 
old days in Smyrna. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lawson passed away some thirty-five years 
ago, and with their daughter Ellen, the first wife of our towns- 
man Nathan Eldridge, sleep their last sleep under the large ever- 
green tree in the East Burial Ground. 

Elijah Lawson, a brother of Samuel C, married Asenith 
Dunn, a daughter of Timothy and Mehitabel Dunn, the former 
a hero of Stony Point in the Revolution. To them were born 
several children, among them being Laverna, who married Rus- 
sel Loomis, of Brook field, N. Y., both now deceased. Other 
children were Delina and Samuel D., both of whom passed the 
most of their lives in Smyrna. Delina, now deceased, was blind 
for many years, and Samuel D. is nearly so. Mr Lawson is a 
companionable neighborly citizen well liked by all, and is spend- 
ing his remaining days with his oldest son, Frank D., on Sher- 
burne West Hill, where his especial attraction and source of en- 
joyment is in entertaining and caring for a young granddaughter' 
to whom he is much attached. 

Timothy Leonard, a soldier of the Revolution, came to 
Smyrna from Massachusetts about the year 1812, and died here 
in 1830. His family was as follows: Nathan, who was drowned 
in Vermont in 1809; Susan, wife of Anson Johnson, who died 
at her home near Oneida Lake, in 1850; Abiel, whose death oc- 
curred in 1878 at Lebanon, where he had spent the most of his 
life; Stephen, who spent many years on Smyrna Hill, moving 
to Pennsylvania, where he became a minister of the gospel, dy- 
ing in 1867; Amanda, wife of Peter Leversee, who died in 
Smyrna in 1883; George, who lived unmarried to an advanced 
age and died in Pennsylvania in 1883; and James, who lived in 
Smyrna until middle life, then moved to Pennsylvania in 1883, 
where he married and soon after died in the year 1886. 

Joseph, known in Smyrna as Barney Leonard, began his mar- 
ried and business life in the Foote neighborhood, afterwards mov- 

52 



Our First Old Home Week 



ing to Smyrna village, where he started the first shoe shop and 
tannery in the town, continuing in the business until he moved 
to Michigan, where he died in 1875. Of his children, Joseph C. 
left Smyrna in 1844, and moved to Union City Michigan, where 
he resided until his death in 1893. He occupied a prominent 
position in the business afifairs of that town, holding many offi- 
ces and serving one term in the State Senate. James T. was 
never married. He spent many years of his life in Massachu- 
setts, as a manufacturer of woolen goods until he was burned 
out, when he went to Michigan where he entered the mercantile 
business, which he continued until his death in 1874. Deloss 
Leonard married Mary Ann Gates and lived on a farm in 
Smyrna, the present Tuttle farm, until 1856, when he moved to 
Union City, Mich, where he still lives, in his 85th year. Mr. 
Leonard owns a fine farm and much other property in that en- 
terprising place, and is one of its most prosperous and well-to-do 
citizens. He is a very courteous old gentleman, devoting a good 
share of his time to travel, and has frequently visited relatives at 
his old home, where he is always welcome. He was an interest- 
ed visitor at our old home gathering last August and seemed to 
very much enjoy the occasion. He will be welcome here and all 
will hope he may be spared to visit us many times again and 
that his remaining days may be spent in happiness and com- 
fort. 

Enos Tuttle came from Colbroolc, Conn., to Sherburne 
about 1812, settling on Church Hill in that town, removing to 
Smyrna Hill about the year 1815. His home was near the 
present home of G. Bert Tracy. There was a large family of 
children as follows: Daniel, Sally, PoUy^ Urana, Susan, Theana, 
Anson and Stephen. 

Daniel, the oldest, was said to have been sent back to Col- 
brook on foot to avoid being drafted in the war of 1812, mak- 
ing two of these trips before the war was ended. He was fond 
of telling of stopping at a farm house for dinner on one of those 
journeys, where there were twenty-one boys in the family, in- 
cluding ten pairs of twins. Daniel married Diana Bartlett and 

S3 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



settled just west of the present Tracy place. They had eleven 
children, Gilbert being the only one now residing in the town. 
Our venerable friend has long been one of the fixtures of that 
part of the town, is interested in church and town affairs and a 
most worthy citizen. We hope tor him and his excellent wife 
and family many years of enjoyment and usefulness. 

Anson Tuttle married and many years resided on the farm 
once known as the Robert Ferris farm, now occupied by his 
grandson Ziba L. Tuttle, whose father, Charles O. Tuttle, resides 
at Earlville. Susanah, one of the daughters, married Michael 
Hassett, who for many years resided on Smyrna Hill. Both are 
now deceased. A son, Ozro, resides in the city of Binghamton 
with his family, and the daughter, Satie, is now the wife of 
Frank Rickard, and they have one son, Harry. 

We can truly say that the Tuttle family since their advent 
into our town, have stood high in the estimation of our people, 
seemingly always interested in the good and welfare of the com- 
munity. 

THE CLEVELAND FAMILY. 

"The honor of ^ name 'tis just to guard, 
They are a trust but lent to us, which we take, 
And should, with reverence to the donor's fame, 
With care transmit them down to other's hands." 

Cities and towns, like people, are born and pass through pe- 
riods of development and growth, but it is the character of the 
citizen that gives an honorable or dishonorable name. The in- 
fluence of the Puritan fathers and mothers has been and will 
continue to be felt from Maine to Mexico and from ocean to 
ocean, and no less will that of those who have given character 
to Smyrna, whose names we cherish and take pride in, and who 
lived up to their highest conception of duty to God and man, 
never shrinking from anything the sense of right or honor or 
self respect impelled them to perform. 

Physical, mental and moral courage led them in their en- 
deavor to make the forests yield to their will and the soil furnish 

54 



Our First Old Home Week 



food and clothing for themselves and families. It is a law of 
heredity that the offspring inherits the qualities, capacities, tastes 
and tempers, in some degree, of their ancestors. In early life 
General Grant never bothered to let the world know that he 
came of good stock, but as the years advanced he desired that it 
be known that his forefathers were of some account, and began 
his memoirs by an explicit showing that he was of colonial de- 
scent. So when we write a biography of the Cleveland family 
we search the records and find that the name is of Saxon origin 
and was borne by a family before the Norman Conquest, and 
that Moses Cleveland came from Ipswich, Suffolk County, Eng- 
land, in 1635, the muster roll of the Woburn Militia showing 
him to be thirty-five years of age. Moses became a freeman in 
1643, to become which a man was required to be of Godly walk 
and conversation, at least twenty years of age, and to take an 
oath of allegiance to the government of Massachusetts Bay 
Colony. 

Israel Cleveland, of Smyrna Hill, was a descendanc of Moses 
Cleveland in the sixth generation, his father being named Albro. 
His mother, Sarah Angell, was a daughter of Israel Angell, of 
Providence, R. I., who at the very beginning of the trouble with 
the mother country took an active part from May 3, 1775, to 
January 1, 1781. He was with the Revolutionary army during 
the terrible winter of 1777-8 at Valley Forge, took a conspicuous 
part at Monmouth and was the subject of special mention in a 
letter to Governor Greene, of Rhode Island, written by Gen. 
George Washington. Colonel Angell received a gold medal 
from General Washington, and also one from General LaFay- 
ette. These facts will make his descendants eligible to become 
Sons and Daughters of the Revolution. 

The ancestor, Thomas Angell, came to America with Roger 
Williams and received from him a grant of land in 1636. Israel 
Cleveland was born in Scituate, R. I., November 16, 1792, and 
while a young man left Rhode Island for New Berlin, N. Y.^ 
where he married Sally Alcott Tuttle in 1814, and about the 
year 1819 moved to Smyrna and settled upon the farm which 

55 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



has since been known as the Cleveland farm. Nine children 
blessed their union, two dying in infancy. Smith Angell was 
born January 19, I8l8; Seth Palmer, March 15, 1820; Alexan- 
der, March 14, 1822; Washington LaFayette, December 21, 
1825; Polly M., January 22, 1828, and Roxana M., August 26, 
1830. To the last named we ar". greatly indebted for the most 
interesting sketch of the Cleveland family. 

Lysander Cleveland was born October 15, 1832. Some of 
the family were teachers and engaged at different times in the 
village school and Mrs. Ferguson continued to teach at her new 
home in Paxton, III, until past sixty years of age. Seven of 
the grandchildren became teachers, thus choosing the occupation 
in which the grandmothers had been successful years before. 
The children inherited good constitutions, good habits and in- 
domitable energy and perseverance. In politics they were patri- 
otic and in religion they were orthodox. Influence is silent but 
irresistible; the noblest contribution, the richest bequest which 
any man can leave to his family or his country, is a good char- 
acter. 

Jared Bennett and Parthena West, his wife, moved from 
Saybrook, Ct., to German Flats, Otsego County, about the 
year 1804; and a few years later moved to Smyrna Hill, set- 
tling on the farm now owned by Lucy Palmer, where they lived 
and died. A carpenter by trade, he built a log house a little 
south of the present Bennett homestead, (on the Cleveland farm) 
which he also built, and where the late Alonzo Bennett was born 
and where he lived and died. Towards the close of the Revolu- 
tionary war Jared Bennett enlisted as a private in the Com- 
missary Department and remained there until the war ended and 
peace was declared Of his family of five children, his oldest 
son, Dudley Bennett settled near his father's home. The latter 
will be remembered by many of our people as an old-fashioned 
man with quaint customs and ways, a good neighbor, and a man 
with many friends. Nancy Bennett married Cyrus Simons, a 
large number of whose descendants have always resided here. 

56 



Our First Old Home Week 



Alonzo Bennett married for his first wife Betsey Hyde, by 
whom he had one daughter, Angeline, now deceased. Mrs. Ben- 
nett's life was of short duration, and not long after her death he 
married Julia, a daughter of Edward Briggs, by whom he had nine 
children. Only one son and three daughters now remain. 

A sister of Mrs. Bennett is Mrs. Samantha Willcox, who 
still resides in our village, where she is passing her remaining 
days, a faithful member of the Methodist Church. She has 
many friends in the community. Her husband was Charles 
Willcox, who died here in the late sixties. Her only daughter is 
Adellah J., now Mrs. Anthony Volmer, the mother of a large fam- 
ily of sons and daughters. Robert G., the only son, resides at 
Whitesboro, Oneida County, with his wife, formerly Anna Sa- 
bin, of Plymouth. Their son and daughter each married. 

Father Bennett, as he was always known both in the church 
and community, was a most worthy member of the Methodist 
Church, and a leader as well as a strong supporter of that so- 
ciety. His children were trained in the way of the faithful, and 
have all retained their father's and mother's deep regard for the 
church and its work. Their three daughters are Fannie, the 
greatly esteemed wife of James P. Knowles; Elizabeth, the re- 
spected wife of the late Lysander Cleveland, and Nettie A., the 
wife of C. Sumner Tobey, now of Norwich. The only living son 
is Warren, whose home is now at Minneapolis, Kansas. Wil- 
liam, the youngest son, whose wife was Ida E., the only sister of 
Lynn F. Williams, passed away in the pride of his early man- 
hood in the winter of 1879, in his 22d year. He was the main 
support of his aged parents and was greatly missed at the Ben- 
nett home. Among the sons was Rev. Edgar L. Bennett, bom 
in Smyrna, where he spent his boyhood days. At the commence- 
ment of hostilities he enlisted in the 5th New York Heavy Ar- 
tillery in the war of the Rebellion, where he remained until its 
close, a faithful soldier. He afterwards became a most excel- 
lent school teacher and later entered the ministry of the Metho- 
dist Church, where he became a man of prominence. Obliged 
to baffle with many disappointments and discouragements, he 

57 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



finally resigned from the ministry, his last charge being the Che- 
nango Street Church in Binghamton. His untimely death oc- 
curred at the Tobey farm on Smyrna Hill, on the 2d of October, 
1898. He is survived by his invalid wife, Latie E., a daughter 
of the late Orlando Bennett, and a young daughter Lois, both of 
whom have the sympathy of all. There are two sons, Ralph, 
the older, one of the business managers of the Binghamton 
Press, and Bert, also engaged in business in that city. 

Father Bennett was an invalid for many years, many months 
bereft of reason, but was most faithfully cared for by his es- 
teemed wife, daughters and grandchildren, and when the sum- 
mons came for this worthy couple to "come up higher," they 
were ready to go, though greatly missed by all. 

Wyram Bartlett came from Connecticut very early in 
the century. The place where he settled was probably not far 
from where his sons were afterwards located. His wife was 
Phoebe Palmer, and there were twelve children, all born pre- 
vious to 1800. Among them were Diana, who married Daniel, 
the father of Gilbert Tuttle; Oliver W., who lived on the pres- 
ent Clayton Bartlett farm, with two sons, James and Devolson; 
Patrick W.,who lived in a log house a little south of the above 
named farm, blessed also with twelve children as follows: Henry 
C, now living on the Earlville road, father of our townsman 
Ervin H. Bartlett; Sanford, once well known here; Ezra, Willis, 
whose wife was Emma Close, a daughter of our former citizen, 
the late Lewis Close; Albert, Clinton, Julia, who married Wes- 
ley Tallett; Caroline, the respected wife of the late Levi Rickard, 
mother of our friend and citizen, Frank D. Rickard; Delina, the 
wife of Ambrose Parker; Serepta, wife of George Stewart, and 
Elizabeth the wife of our former citizen, Cortland L. Ferris, re- 
siding at Oriskany Falls. 

Patrick W. Bartlett and family later occupied the present 
Randt farm. 

George C. settled and lived for many years with his family 
on the present Eugene Gibson farm. His wife was Mirandi, a 

58 



Our First Old Home Week 



daughter of the late Alfred Miles of Otselic, to whom were born 
nine children. Among them were LaFayette, now deceased, 
father of Emerton I. ; Homer and Clayton, the latter of whom 
has purchased the Bartlett farm; Alfred now deceased; Nathaniel 
now of Sherburne; Clark W.,of Oxford, also deceased; George 
C, of Otselic, and Nathan whose death recently occurred at the 
home of his sister, Abbie D., the wife of the late Lawrence B. 
Cleveland, whose home is now in Smyrna, and who is the only 
member of the family left in town. She has one son, Herbert 
B., and one daughter Mabel, now the wife of John E Widger. 

Hezekiah Bidwell was a native of Connecticut, coming 
early to the farm later known as the Henry H. Willcox farm, 
moving from there to the farm owned by the late Pomeroy 
Wood, when Eleazur, so long a respected resident of our town, 
was but six months of age. In later years he moved to West 
Smyrna, where the family has since resided, and where his death 
occurred in 1848. 

Eleazur married Sally Partridge, a native of Wilburham, 
Mass., the Partridge home being the present Tuttle homestead. 

Mr. Bidwell was a kind-hearted old gentleman and had a 
warm place in the hearts of his townsmen. He was a Democrat 
of the old school, interested m his party and faithful to its prin- 
ciples. His death occurred at his home a number of years since, 
at a ripe old age. 

The only remaining member ot the family now in the town, 
is Alfred T., who still resides at West Smyrna. Hosea, many 
years a respected citizen of the town, is not far away, but lives 
in the neighboring town of Lebanon. His son Charles, now a 
useful citizen of that part of the town, still resides at the Bidwell 
homestead with his family. 

In I8t6 and 1818 a number of Boss families came from 
Rhode Island to Smyrna. 

Jabez Boss married Sarah Brayton, of South Kingston, 
R. I., in 1780. He served in the 2d Regiment of Rhode Island 

59 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Infantry in the Revolution and was at the battle of Trenton and 
Princeton. Their union was blessed with ten children, as fol- 
lows: David, Charles, Perry, Jesse, Solomon, Benjamin, Jere- 
miah, Mary, Fannie and Waty. David bought land in the town 
of Catherines, Chemung County, and wrote home he was going 
to join Commodore Perry's forces on Lake Erie. He was never 
heard from afterwards. Charles fell from the mast of an ice 
sloop on the Hudson River and was killed. Perry and Jesse 
went to sea when young and did not return, Solomon studied 
tor the ministry in the Baptist Church but falling in love with a 
handsome young Quakeress, Catherine Knowles, he united with 
the Friends and married her in I8l3. In 1816 they came to 
Smyrna, bringing one child. He bought land near the center of 
the town and lived there twenty years, clearing up the farm and 
living in prudence and prosperity. The same farm is now owned 
by Hugh Knowles. Eight children were born to them, of whom 
only one, Thomas G. Boss, of Sherburne, survives. Thomas 
spent his boyhood in Smyrna. When the war of the Rebellion 
broke out he enlisted in the I6rh Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry. 
He was twice severely wounded; once in the battle near Atlanta, 
Ga., when he was reported killed. His wound was caused by 
a bullet through his face, above the roof of his mouth, from 
which he has suffered ever since. He still survives in his 73d 
year, and desires us to say for him: 

"It beats all how these old veterans hold out when they get 
a large pension, and live on toast and tea." 

The descendants of Solomon and Catherine Boss were nine 
children, twenty-three grandchildren, and forty-four great-grand- 
children, of whom about sixty are still living, dotting the conti- 
nent in an almost direct line from Brooklyn, N. Y., to Portland, 
Oregon. Solomon was for many years Overseer of the Poor, 
but finally refused to vote or hold any office because the Consti- 
tution recognized slavery. 

Benjamin Boss with his wife and one child, (James R. Boss) 
his father and mother and brother, Jeremiah, and their sisters 

60 



Our First Old Home Week 



came to Smyrna in I8l8. A few years later Benjamin bought 
a farm a little west of his brother Solomon on which for many 
years stood a beech tree, said to be the exact center of the town. 
Adding to his first purchase twice or thrice, he was tinally the 
owner of 195 acres of land. Benjamin was a very exemplary 
member of the Friends Society and a highly respectable citizen. 
In politics he was a strong Whig and a great admirer of Henry 
Clay, voting for that noted Statesman in the election of 1844, 
and as he walked away from the polls remarking: "I will never 
vote for another slaveholder." 

Following his father, his son, James R Boss, occupied the 
farm for many years, He was a man of excellence, and with 
decided opinions and was an exemplary member of the Friends 
Society, in which he was always interested. He was chosen 
Railroad Commissioner of the town, which office he held until 
his death. The farm is now owned by his son, Charles E. Boss, 
a teacher of prominence in Hackensack, N. J. The farm has 
been greatly improved and has now a thrifty appearance. 

Jeremiah M. Boss was almost fifteen years of age when he 
came to Smyrna. He worked many years as a farm hand on 
the Willcox flats, later buying land west of his brother Benja- 
min and then selling the same to his brother and locating in 
West Smyrna where he united with the Free Will Baptist 
Church. He again sold out and moved to St. Lawrence county, 
and finally made his home in Hudson, Mich. One of his sons 
was a railroad engineer; another, James, died in Chattanooga of 
pneumonia, while a member of the First Michigan Engineers, 
in the war of the Rebellion. 

Waty Boss was well known in Smyrna and vicinity many 
years, as a most capable and successful nurse. She will be re- 
membered by many of the present generation. It will be seen 
that the history of the Boss family in Smyrna forms a very in- 
teresting part of this volume. 

The Brooks Family came from Connecticut to Otsego 
County, N. Y., but the family records have been destroyed and 

61 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



neither the name of the father or the date of their immigration is 
at present known. Thomas Brooks, the oldest son, the first judge 
of Otsego County, was a graduate of Dartmouth College in the 
year 1787, and a number of his descendants were also graduates 
of that institution. 

John Brooks located on the farm east of Smyrna, once the 
Hammond farm, now owned by Walter Gardner, in the year 
1820. He was a conscientious man of excellent character, liv- 
ing a long and useful life and raising a family of two sons and 
one daughter. 

Seneca Brooks moved to Brookfield, where some of his de- 
scendants still remain, and Horace, not many years ago well 
known in this vicinity, lived on the old homestead till middle 
life, when he moved to Smyrna village, carrying on the cooper 
business, his home being the present Towner homestead which 
he built. He lived to a good old age leaving his wife, a sister of 
the wife of the late Leman H. Talcott, and an adopted daughter, 
Icie, who became the wife of Frank J. Stanton. A young 
daughter, Jennie L, passed away early in the sixties, loved and 
missed by all who knew her. 

Clarissa Brooks married Henry Bailey of Otselic, the father 
of Henry Bailey our former citizen. The latter, with his most 
excellent wife, Angeline Sprague, are making their home at 
Norwich, N. Y., with their youngest daughter, Nellie, now the 
wife of Horace L Short, a prosperous business man of that en- 
terprising village. 

With John Brooks came also his brother James, with his 
family of four sons and three daughters. H**. brought his house- 
hold goods, two yoke of oxen, six yearling heifers, one ox cart 
and one covered wagon, settling and living a number of years 
on the farm next west of the old Bliven farm, now known as 
the Calkins farm. At the time of the great tornado which 
swept through that part of the town, all of the trees on the place 
were blown down, which discouraged the family so much that 
they left the farm and moved to the farm in Sherburne, now 




THOMAS BROCKS, 



Our F irst Old Home iVeek 

owned by Henry Lathropr~r^;7i;^.i^^^hey moved to the 
h.ll farm sim ,n possession of a grandson, Deloss C Brooks 

Of the sons. John and Gales lived and died in Sherburne- 
W,l am ,n Hamilton, and Thomas, so many years well and 
mos avorably known in the town, lived on the h'omesteTd wi h 
his father until they bought of John Tefff, the farm below 
where Deloss Brooks now resides. Thomas m r led Melis'a R ' 
a granddaughter of Judge Thomas Brooks of Otsego County a 
most e.ce lent woman, respected by all who evfr knew tr 

L hrfnH r 'v "P"^"" "■"^™ ^"^ » ■^"^'^'^f"! farmer, and 
both he and his wife were faithful members of the Cone e^a 
taa Church of Smyrna, and among the strongest TupS 
of that organization. Both are now deceased, but are surv"ved 
by three sons, Floyd W. and Deloss C, well k^own resident of 
Smyrna, and Dealton S., who now resides at Newton Fait N 

ancel si rTn'sh °l' """' ^''""^'^ ^- "°* '" '"^ '"^'^^ 
ance Dusiness in Sherburne, and two daughters Mav M who 

became the wife of Dr. H. S. Turner, of' Krg Pa' I„d 
Florence A., a most successful High Sch^l teacher 

Deloss married Mary Miller, of Sherburne, and they have 

X^t '"■,°f*'"; ^•' ""* '"^ *'f^ °f Willard C Bradley 
of Babylon, L l„ and Bessie J., who remains with her parerts' 
Paulina Brooks married Abijah Allen, and moved to cK utau-' 

Z^:t "' ''''' "'-™'' N^h-iah Squires, ^ndoon 
afte died leaving one son, James P. Squires, many years a 
worthy citizen of the town, recently deceased. Lucy marri d a 
gentleman named Beach, and also moved to Chautauqua Coun 
y returning a few years after. Some of herdescendants a e 
still living in Poolville and Lebanon, Madison County. 

Henry Knowles and family of South Kingston R | 
moved from Oriskany in the spring of ,821, into a small lo^ 
house on the site of the old homestead on Smyrna Hill now 
owned by his grandson, Henry K. Peckham. Here he s^dl 
large family and became well known for his generosity ^ 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



ability, and rare integrity of character. He was also widely 
known as an able preacher in the Society of Friends. 

Later in April 1826, his younger brother Benjamin R. 
Knowles with his mother and two sisters moved up from Rhode 
Island in a one horse wagon, with Paris G. Holley, who drove 
an ox team with a horse for a leader. He settled in a log house 
where now stands the home of his granddaughter, Mrs. Marga- 
ret Tracy. He was known as a man of quiet, peaceable dispo- 
sition, honest in business and upright in character, a most wor- 
thy example of the sturdy quaker stock from which he sprang. 
His oldest son is still a resident of our town and adheres strictly 
to the principles taught him by his worthy ancestors. We refer 
to our respected townsman, James P. Knowles. The younger 
son, Joseph, became an honorable minister of the Friends 
Church, his death occurring in the prime of his life, a loss to the 
church and community which was deeply mourned by all. His 
faithful wife who survived him for a number of years, took up 
the work of her devoted husband and became a faithful and in- 
teresting preacher. 

She was called to her reward on the 26th of April, 1904, and 
is survived by one daughter, Priscilla, now the wife of Herbert 
P. Smith. 

Daniel Knowles came to Smyrna from Rhode Island pre- 
sumably in the early twenties, but it is not known where he first 
settled. His wife was one Polly Hoxie of Rhode Island. They 
had three children, as follows : Roxie, who became the second 
wife of the late Harlow Billings; Eliza, the wife of George 
Sherman, and John Hoxie, who married Polly Kenyon. once 
well and favorably known by all our citizens of thirty or more 
years ago, occupying for many years the present Knowles home- 
stead on the Earlville road, whose son, Robert H. Knowles, a 
well-to-do farmer and one of our best citizens, still remains at 
the homestead, the only descendant of this family now residing 
in the town. We very much regret we have no more data re- 
garding this well known and respected family. 

64 



Our First Old Home Week 



Paris G. Holley, an honored and useful citizen, settled 
early in the south part of the town on the farm known long af- 
terwards as the Holley farm. Among his children were Ann, an 
invalid who for a long time was a resident of this village; Lyn- 
dall, whose first wife was Charlotte Nearing, and his second wife 
Celia Foreman, of Delhi, N. Y.; Alanson, who moved from 
Smyrna with his family early in the sixties, Benjamin, whose 
home was at Momence, 111., and Stephen, father of Susan, 
wife of the late Thomas Mowers. All the family are now de- 
ceased, except Burt W„ a son of Henry, who now resides at 
Norwich. 

Nathaniel P. Smith, in March, 1821, with only a little 
change in his pocket, took his ax upon his shoulder, and with a 
yoke of oxen and a log chain, walked from Brookfield to 
Smyrna, a distance of eighteen miles, leaving his wife and fam- 
ily at home. Hearing of a tract of land for sale near the pres- 
ent site of the little settlement of Upperville, he invested his small 
amount of money in securing a claim on fifty acres of land, on 
which was a dense forest. With the assistance of neighbors he 
built a small log house on the newly acquired premises and lived 
there for two months alone, feeding his oxen on browse and a 
little poor hay he had secured from a neighboring settler. He 
began by burning charcoal in pits and later made potash, and 
having cleared a small patch of land, planted corn and potatoes. 
In June he was joined by his wife and children and in a few 
months purchased fifty acres more, and later fifty acres more on 
which he built a handsome frame house. The family then con- 
sisted of the husband, wife and eight children. Harriet married 
Alexis Hemenway, and both of them will be pleasantly remem- 
bered as old-fashioned kindly neighbors and most excellent peo- 
ple, greatly esteemed by all who ever knew them. Susannah 
married William Northup, also well and favorably known in the 
community, and later at her husband's decease became the sec- 
ond wife of the late Yale Northup. Jane A. spent the most of 
her life in teaching, but her latter years were spent in Smyrna, 

65 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



where her death occurred in the fall of 1862. Henry G. mar- 
ried Sarah J. Hunt, of Lansingburg. Both passed away at Mus- 
catine, Iowa, where nearly all their lives had been spent. Charles 
married Eliza Bourne and lived for many years at Smyrna. 
The latter years of their lives were spent at Otselic, where they 
died at a ripe old age. Mary H. married Joseph S. Porter, 
and their home was at Troy, N. Y., until the decease of Mr. 
Porter, when she returned to Smyrna, and not long after mar- 
ried Hoxie Collins of Brookfield, and has since resided there. 
John C. married G. Latie Carpenter and their home was in New 
York city, until his death June 29, 1862. George married Mar- 
tha Briggs, and both are still with us, and our citizens, one and 
all, will hope for a long and pleasant life for each. Both are 
worthy of the esteem in which they are held by their many 
friends and their pleasant home, on Smyrna Hill, is always a most 
hospitable one for all. 

Nathaniel P. Smith, the father, passed away at his home on 
Srnyrna Hill on June l3. 1880. 

EZEKIEL Tefft and Amy Willcox Tefft, his wife, came to 
Smyrna January 1, 1822, the former having been bom in 
Rhode Island about the middle of the eighteenth century, and 
the latter in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1764, coming to America with 
her parents. Their children were Susan, who died while very 
young; Stephen; Nathan, who followed a sea-faring life and was 
a mate on a privateer in the war of 1812, the last ever heard of 
him when he sailed for the British coast in I8l5; Huldah, who 
became the wife of Gardner James, spending the most of her 
life in Smyrna, where she died at an advanced age in the early 
seventies, and Ezekiel, who came up country about the year 
1822, but moved to Ohio in 1830. 

Rowland B. Tefft was born in Richmond, Washington 
County, this State, May 25, 1807. He was married March 13, 
1834, to Lucy Bills, who was born in Smyrna, March 14, 1810. 
Mr. Tefft became a prominent citizen, a thorough business man, 
a speculator in cattle and sheep and later in lumber. He pur- 

66 



Our First Old Home Week 



chased a tract of timber land at St. Charles, Mich., and with his 
family moved there in the summer of 1871. There he spent 
his remaining days, passing away on the 1 6th of April, 1891, 
his wife following him November 12th of the same year. As 
old residents of Smyrna, they will be remembered as most 
kindly neighbors, winning the highest regard of all who made 
their acquaintance. The family consisted of three sons and two 
daughters. Arethusa became the wife of Alonzo Faucett, now of 
Waterloo, Ind. Emily, the younger, is the wife of Orlando M. 
Record, of Thayer, Kan. Henry C, a twin brother of Emily, is 
a prosperous citizen of St. Charles, Mich. Charles B., now liv- 
ing in Swan Creek township, Mich., is engaged in farming but 
was formerly in the lumber business. He served in the war of 
the Rebellion from August 13, 1862, to June 10, 1865, as a 
member of Company F, 114th Regiment, made up mostly of 
Chenango County soldiers, and was wounded six times during 
his three years of service. R. Dexter Teflft, a bright student, was 
in early years a successful teacher in Smyrna Union School, later 
an attorney at law in Auburn, Ind., where his death occurred 
November 20, 1902. John G., the youngest, now lives with 
his family in St. Charles, his occupation being that of a civil 
engineer. All the children were born in Smyrna. 

Samuel Teflft, a son of Ezekiel and Amy Teflft, came to 
Smyrna in 1820, his wife being Ann Brown, a sister of the wife 
of the late Alfred Willcox. He reared a large family and fol- 
lowed various occupations at one time having charge of a canal 
boat on the Chenango canal. Later he was a well known stage 
driver whom many old residents will remember, as well as the 
old coach which brought the only mail to Smyrna, arriving at 
about one o'clock in the morning, leaving Utica at about four 
o'clock on the afternoon before. Mr. Teflft's stage formerly con- 
nected with the main stage at Waterville, later at East Hamilton, 
and when the railroad reached our neighboring village of Sher- 
burne, he made that trip until the opening of the New York & 
Oswego Midland railroad brought the mail to our own door, 
which was November, 1869, thirty-six years ago. 

67 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Many will remember the old stage horn as it used to announce 
the arrival of the stage and mail, and though the latter was not 
distributed till 8 o'clock the next morning it was eagerly sought 
after as it is at the present day. These were the days when a 
railroad through our town and handsome valley, was but a 
dream. 

The Collins Family— a Quaker family who took an ac- 
tive part in the maintenance of their church and did their part in 
building up and carrying out all that was good for our town and 
community, was the Collins family, who migrated from Hop- 
kinton, R. I., in 1800, to Rensselaerville, Manor of Rensselaer- 
wyck, in Albany County. They had with them their two 
daughters Susan and Mary, known in later years as the Collins 
Sisters, whose home was a most hospitable gathering place for 
members of their church and others as well. They were most 
excellent neighbors and were always ready to minister to the 
wants of the needy or distressed. The oldest was then four 
years of age. Remaining there fifteen years, during which time 
two more daughters and four sons were born to them, they 
moved to a farm near the Capron Cotton Mills, near the vil- 
lage of New Hartford, and here Isaac B. Collins was born De- 
cember 18, 181 5. The next year they moved to a farm between 
New Hartford and Utica, where the youngest son, Henry, was 
born February 15, 1819. The first summer on that farm, 1816, 
was terribly cold and it was said there was frost or snow every 
montn of that year. It was declared by the neighbors that the 
Quaker broad brim hats overshadowed the entire neighborhood, 
and prevented the sun from shining on the earth to give it its 
proper heat. The family again moved to a place west ot New 
Hartford, called Middle Settlement, and after three years there, 
on the first day of April, 1822, came on to a hill farm in the 
good old town of Smyrna. 

Of this Collins family, the father, William, was born in 
Hopkinton, R. I., January 10, 1770, and died at Smyrna, Au- 
gust 6, 1857. His wife whose maiden name was Anna Fish, 



Our First Old Home Week 



was born at North Providence, R. 1., April 17, 1774, and died at 
Smyrna, April 6, 1868. All the family are now deceased, and 
all are buried in the old Quaker ground, abouc one and one-half 
miles south of this village, excepting William, once a resident of 
our village, who died in New Jersey; Henry, whose death took 
place at Klingly Lake, and Isaac B., who died at the home of his 
son, Charles, at Norwich, March 7, 1905, in his ninetieth year. 

Isaac B. Collins was the sole survivor of the family, and 
honored and esteemed by all who knew him. As a resident of 
Smyrna, he was one of our influential citizens, holding many 
offices of trust, and taking a great interest in political affairs 
whether in the town, county, state or nation. An ardent whig, 
casting his first vote in 1836, for Henry Clay, the whig candi- 
date for President, and continuing his affiliations with that party 
after it merged into the Republican party. He was an excellent 
school teacher; had a remarkable memory, and was stern and a 
fine disciplinarian, as many of his old scholars among whom 
was the writer, can easily testify. He removed to Norwich some 
thirty years ago but kept up a lively interest in the town in 
which he had so long resided, and when met upon the Norwich 
streets where he had become a familiar figure, never failed to 
ask for matters of interest concerning the old home town. But 
a few months before his decease he was able to write to the 
writer, in a plain, legible hand, nearly all the facts connected 
with this sketch of the Collins family. 

Seymour Isbell and his wife, Lois Nearing, came from 
New Lisbon, Otsego County, to Smyrna, about the year 1823. 
Four children, all now deceased, were born to them as follows: 
Elmer; Nirum, who married Mary Hartwell; Electa, who mar- 
ried George Matthewson; Abigail, who became the wife of S. C. 
Hay ward; and Lina, who became the second wife of the late 
Gardner Butts. The latter had one son, our respected friend 
Daniel G. Butts, who was born here some fifty-four years ago, 
and has always resided here. He has taught school many terms 
and has been a successful pedagogue. He married Susan New- 

69 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



comb, and they have two children; Wallace, who married Fran- 
ces Burton, and now resides in Sherburne; and Sarah, who mar- 
ried Clarence Tennebrook. They have two young sons and 
make their home in this village. 

Jonathan Shepardson, of Welsh descent, whose parents 
came from Attleboro, Mass., was born in Plymouth, this county, 
receiving such education as could be obtained in the common 
district schools. He married Hannah, the oldest daughter of 
John and Sally Munson, of Smyrna, and one child was born to 
them; Andrew, who first saw the light at the Munson home- 
stead, December t5, 1828. As a youth he was a clerk in the 
store of Harvey Talcott at Smyrna, and in later years found em- 
ployment in the Munson Mill. In 1836 he entered into part- 
nership with Albert Munson, which was successfully continued 
till his death on the 16th day of May, 1841, in his 36th year. 

Andrew, the son, attended the district school until he was 
fifteen years of age, and then entered the store of Webster Mer- 
rell, later spending a year at Clinton and Cazenovia. He after- 
wards engaged in business at Earlville, but returned to Smyrna 
in 1858. A capable and competent business man, he found no 
difficulty in securing employment in most any line, holding va- 
rious offices which he was exceedingly well qualified to fill. More 
concerning Mr. Shepardson's political career will be found in the 
toast "Our Public Men" which appears in another part of this 
volume. 

His wife was Emma, a daughter of John and Mary Dalmon, 
genteel English people, and by her were four children, the young- 
est Albert L., a young man of brightest promise, who passed away 
in the spring of 1882, at sixteen years of age. The oldest son, 
Walter A., is a prominent farmer in the town of Otselic, and at 
present is the efficient County Clerk of Chenango County. His 
wife is a daughter of the late Ery W. Stokes, and they have one 
son, E Stokes, now fifteen years of age. 

Mary E., the only daughter, married Edward P. Lyon of 

70 




ANDREW SHEPARDSON. 



Our First Old Home Week 



Brooklyn, N. Y,, and they have an interesting family of four 
children and a pleasant home in the City of Churches. 

John W., the only representative of the family now in town, 
was born here forty-six years ago, and ably takes his father's 
place as a prominent business man. He is our present Super- 
visor, recently re-elected by a large majority, and like his father, 
an ardent Republican, standing high in the councils of his party, 
He retains the agency of the New York, Ontario & Western 
Railroad Company, succeeding his brother, Walter A., in the 
spring of 1878. It will thus be seen that the agency has been in 
that family since the opening of the road, in November, 1869, a 
continuous succession of thirty-six years. Mr. Shepardson mar- 
ried Maria B., a daughter of Charles W. PerLee, and they have 
two children. Alice M., the older, married John T. McGovern, 
of New York, and Charles A., the younger, is a stenographer 
and typewriter in the General Offices of the Lehigh Valley 
Railroad Company in New York. 

Andrew Shepardson died at his late home in Smyrna village, 
April 21, 1903, at the age of 75 years, having survived his wife 
some twenty-five years, she having passed away January 8, 1878, 
in her 47th year. 

The Calkins Family in America are descendants of one 
Hugh Calkins, who was born in Wales, in 1600, and who died 
in the town of Norwich, Conn., in 1690. The family were said 
to have been represented in the Indian, Revolutionary, War of 
1812, Mexican, Civil and Spanish- American Wars. Its earliest 
American ancestor was born in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, 
Wales, in 1600, and was said to have been descended from an 
ancient and long line of that name, one of whom, William Col- 
kin (as it was spelled in the very early days), lived in the time 
of King John, 1200, and was unquestionably one of those who, 
sword in hand, extorted the great Magna Charta from Revolu- 
tionary King John, at Runningmede, June 15,1215. One of 
his direct descendants, David Calkins, married Sally Wilbur, by 
whom were three children. Smith Wilbur, Eliza and Mary. 

71 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Smith Wilbur was born in Smyrna, December 25, 1820, and 
married Fannie E. Willcox, born in Smyrna, March 9, 1825, and 
there were five children, as follows: Hannah A., who married 
Hoyt W. Kinney, they having one son, Charles E., who now re- 
sides at Washington, D. C Charles L., well known here where 
he has many friends, who married Delia Knapp, and they have 
two children, Bert and Edward, and their home is at Palmyra, 
Wis. Sarahette, married Edward M. Dakin, and they have two 
daughters, Lena A., who married Warner A. Gibbs, and Maud 1., 
who with their mother, reside in Washington, D. C. Ella F., 
married Samuel, a son of the late Robert H. Willcox, for some 
sixteen years a successful engineer on the Delaware & Hudson 
Railroad, residing in the city of Binghamton. Their children 
were Charles, now deceased; Mary, the wife of B. H. Nelson, a 
private banker in that city, and Harry, who is now in business 
in that city. 

Edward A. Calkins married Delia Munger, and his death 
took place in 1894. AH of the children of the above Smith W. 
and Fannie E. Calkins were born in Smyrna, where they each 
grew to maturity. Mr. Calkins died in the winter of 1887, and 
he is still survived by his wife, who makes her home with her 
daughter, Mrs. Willcox, in Binghamton. 

Eliza Willcox married a gentleman named Graves, and Mary 
Willcox, Nelson Ackley, but there is no further data concerning 
them or their families. 

Benjamin Card was born in Rhode Island in 1803, and 
moved to Lebanon with his parents at four years of age. When 
he was twenty- one he came to Smyrna and bought a tract of 
land on which he cleared a place and built a home, which but a 
few years since was standing in the lot southwest of the present 
Card saw mill. He added to these lands from time to time un- 
til he had nearly four hundred acres. He built a large saw mill 
on his premises, and built up an extremely large business which 
he conducted many years. Hale, hearty and ambitious, he was 
not afraid of work and he had the confidence of all who knew 

12 





BENJAMIN CARD. 



Our First Old Home Week 



him. Some ten years after he came to Smyrna, he married 
Polly Dye, of Lebanon, by whom he had one son, Alonzo, who 
still survives. Mrs. Card lived but five years after their mar- 
riage, and a few years later he married Ann Enos, of Rensselaer 
County, and there were born to them seven children, only two 
of whom remain in town. Clayton G. resides at the old Card 
homestead. He married Lovisa E. Littlefield, of Grafton, N. Y., 
and they have one daughter, Mary, now the wife of our towns- 
man, Charles E. Coy. Enos M., is a resident of Utica, his wife 
being a daughter of the late Daniel Parker, of Otselic. They 
have one son, D. Parker, a graduate of Bellevue Medical Hospital, 
New York, who now holds a fine position in Bellevue Hospital, 
in that city; and one daughter, Mattie, now the wife of Starr P. 
Sternberg. Their home is on the former Nearing farm, south 
of the village. 

Benjamin Card finished his earthly course July 31, 1895, at 
ninety-two years of age, having survived his wife nearly five 
years, she having passed away February 19, 1890, at the age of 
seventy-four. 

Trowbridge Shepard was born in Stockbridge, Mass., 
February 5, 1805. His parents were born in Scotland in 1783, 
emigrating to the old Bay State. Trowbridge was married twice, 
his first wife being Nancy E. McKay, of Glasgow, Scotland, 
who died January 28, 1837, leaving five children to mourn her 
loss, two of whom died in infancy. The remaining were Elnora 
M., who died at Colfax, Wash., March 22, 1900; Willis, who 
died in Iowa in 1890; and Andrew Jay still living at Stevenson, 
Wash., to whom we are indebted for this sketch of the family. 

His second wife was Nancy E. Moore, of Paris Hill, Oneida 
County, who died at Carthage, Mo., February 14, 1883. From 
this union were seven children, among them Elvira E., Alonzo C, 
Clementina A., Geraldine A., Carlos L, and Ida E. All are de- 
ceased but the latter, who now lives at Guthrie, Oklahoma. 

Mr. Shepard came to Smyrna at twenty years of age, at first 
following the cooper's trade, then for three years studying med- 

73 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



icine, and after that entering the drug business, which he after- 
wards followed. He was fatally kicked by a horse, which he 
was trying to extricate from a burning barn at his home in 
Smyrna village on the night of August 26, 1862, a fire many of 
our older citizens will remember. Two of his sons, Alonzo C. and 
Andrew J., enlisted as soldiers in the civil war. The former 
joined the New York Zouaves, and died at the Soldiers' Home 
ait Dayton, Ohio, in May, 1866, and the latter was a member of 
the First New York Light Artillery. 

The Shepard family left Smyrna in the sixties for a new 
home, leaving many friends here, where they were well and fa- 
vorably known and much respected. The old Shepard drug 
store, which many will remember, was the old Comstock drug 
store, which was destroyed by the fire of 1900. 

Peter Merritt, of Barkhamsted, Ct., married Sylvia Mer- 
rell, and they moved to Smyrna in the spring of 1827, becom- 
ing well and most favorably known in this vicinity. There 
were bom to them eight children, as follows: Aurelia, who be- 
came the wife of Samuel C. Lawson; Emeline, who married 
Joseph Rexford; Edwm, who was County Clerk of Cook 
County, Illinois, when Chicago was but a swamp, and a small 
settlement; Elizabeth, who married Asa Cash, of Buffalo; Ruth, 
who married Edwin Jaynes; James and Jeanette, who lived for 
many years in Buffalo; and Albertus, whose home was at Mil- 
waukee, Wis. 

John Percival settled on a farm some three miles west of 
Smyrna, near the present farm house of Hoxie Tefft. 

Obadiah Spencer bought the farm now owned by Charles 
Bellinger, the same owned in former years by Smith Calkins, now 
deceased, and the same year Stephen Parker bought the farm 
now owned by Deloss Brooks. 

In 1803 Jesse Hutchinson and Apollos Allen bought 
lot number fifteen, comprising the present site of the village of 
Smyrna, also the west half of lot number sixteen and were prob- 

14 



Our First Old Home IVeek 



ably the first settlers on the site of the village. They sold their 
milling; interests to John Munson in the spring of 1809. 

Benjamin Paul came from Westminster, Vt., in 1803, and 
settled on the William Fields farm, now known as the Ball 
farm. 

Noah Coleman a native of Connecticut, settled early on 
Smyrna Hill, on the farm known for many years as the Cole- 
man farm, and in a log house a little to the north of the present 
farm house, rearing a large family of children. Among them 
were Nathan, Charles, Orrin and Marvin, the latter a member of 
the 6 1st Infantry, N. Y. S. V.; and Lucy, who became the wife 
of the late Abram D. Ferris. 

John Enos was born at Block Island, and in the later years 
of his life moved to Rensselaer County. He married Mary Mor- 
rison and to them were born eight children. Charles was once a 
prosperous citizen of our town. Leonard became an excellent 
millwright and in his day was not surpassed as a mechanic, 
doing much of the work in his line for many years at the Mun- 
son Mill. Ann Enos married the late Benjamin Card. The 
Enos home was the old Faulkner place in the northwest part of 
the town, the house having been taken down several years 
since. 

John Crumb, a son of Daniel and Lucy Crumb, of Rhode 
Island, came to Smyrna when a young man. He married HuU 
dah, a daughter of Elam and Anna Parsons, becoming well-to- 
do, frugal and industrious, and is well remembered by many of 
the present day. There were born to them five children, two 
boys and three girls, as follows: Daniel who enlisted in the 
war of the Rebellion, was a member of the 61 st New York In- 
fantry, dying in the army in 1862; Henry, still a respected citi- 
zen of the town, was also a soldier, serving faithfully all through 
the war, in the 114th Regiment. Maria married Marion Dye, 
now deceased, and subsequently became the wife of a gentleman 
named Hibbard. Lucy became the wife of Russel N. Willcox 
and now resides at the old homestead. Louisa married Jacob 

71 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Carncross, who was a member of the 6lst New "York Infantry, 
receiving an honorable discharge, and re-enlisted in Bat- 
tery A., 4th Regiment U. S. Artillery. He is now deceased. 
The father of Jacob Carncross was Lewis Carncross, who came 
from the Mohawk Valley, and married Elizabeth Reese, by whom 
there were five children, and after the death of his wife was re- 
married to Mrs. Mary Vaine. Mr. Carncross died in 1878, in 
his 76th year. 

Samuel Wilson was born at Hancock, Mass., in 1792, the 
year the settlement of the town began. His father was John 
Wilson, and his mother, Mary Gardner. He married Sabrina L. 
Gardner, whose d'^ath occurred June 23, 1840, in her 29th year. 
The husband and one son, Gardner, survived, the latter becoming 
the husband of Avaline, the oldest daughter of the late John 
Wilcox. Samuel Wilson afterwards married Annette Clark, of 
New Lebanon Springs, and to them were born one son, William 
C, who spent his early days in Smyrna, becoming a young man 
whose social qualities made him warm friends. He moved in 
later years, with his mother, to the place of her nativity, and 
both are now deceased. 

Samuel Wilson was a genteel gentleman of the old school 
and a man most highly esteemed by all who made his acquaint- 
ance. The Wilson home was a most pleasant and hospitable 
place for all. The handsome grounds, with their flowers and 
shrubbery, are pleasant recollections of the older inhabitants, and 
the removal of the family from our town was a matter of much 
regret. Mr. Wilson's death came after a long illness, on the 3 1st 
of August, 1874, in his 83d year. 

Benjamin Hartwell was born at North Norwich, Septem- 
ber 29, 1804, and was a son of Ebenezer Hartwell. At eighteen 
years of age he was apprenticed to learn the hatter's trade of 
Thomas Merrell, of Sherburne Four Corners. Later he moved 
to Greene and still later to Smyrna, where he married Philura, a 
daughter of Harvey Talcott, an early resident of Smyrna, and 
they became respected and honored among the people of the 

76 




SAMUEL WILSON. 



Our First Old Home Week 



town. Their home was always most hospitable. They had 
two children, a son who lived six years, and a daughter, Mary, a 
most estimable young woman, beloved by all, who in later years 
became the wife of Billings Wheeler now of Norwich, and moved 
to that place in the early sixties, where her death occurred not 
long after. Mr. Hartwell was one of our best and most respect- 
ed citizens, a kind hearted neighbor, and a friend to all. 

Many will remember with pleasure the large and well stocked 
trout pond on his premises, a source of pleasure to himself, and 
which he was very fond of showing to his numerous friends. 
Feeding time for the trout was always a source of much enjoy- 
ment for all the young people, as well as old, in the community. 
In 1870 he gave up farming and moved to Norwich, where he 
and his most excellent wife spent their remaining days at the 
home of Mr. Wheeler. Mourned by many, Mr. Hartwell passed 
away in September, 1884, in his 80th year; and his wife in 1887, 
in her 74th year. Both rest in Mt. Hope cemetery at Norwich. 

John F. Pudney was born at Salisbury, Ct., in 1798, and 
removed with his father to Sherburne in 1810, marrying Polly 
A. Church, who was born in 1800. They resided in the town 
of Sherburne the balance of their lives, he dying in Earlville, 
August 9, 1856, aged 58 years, his wife in Sherburne, January 
28, 1872, in her 72d year. There were born to them eight chil- 
dren. Among them was Deloss W., well and favorably known 
in this vicinity, who was for a few years a resident of our town, 
but who spent the remaining years of his life at his home just 
across Pleasant Brook on the Sherburne road, being always 
known as a good natured kindly neighbor and an excellent citi- 
zen. Deloss was bom in New Berlin, now a part of Sherburne, 
March 7, 1819, and married Julia A. Abbott, of Fabius, N. Y, 
moving to the farm now known as the late Ervin Sprague farm. 
By her was born, at this farm, one son, Walstene D., none other 
than the genial, companionable gentleman, who is always much 
interested in our town and its people, who is always welcome 
among us, and whose happiest moments are spent in his none 
too frequent visits to Smyrna, the home of his birth. Mr. Pud- 

77 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



ney has risen to distinction and has made for himself a name, 
having ably represented his district in the Ohio Legislature. He 
is now a legal representative of the Lake Shore and Michigan 
Southern Railway, and his home is at Cleveland, Ohio. 

Deloss married for his second wife, Nancy C. Hubbard, a 
sister of the late Demas Hubbard, Jr., and by her were born 
three children. George P., now the only one residing in the 
town, is a successful lawyer with an excellent practice, and has 
served two terms as District Attorney for Chenango County, in 
a very acceptable manner. He married Kate M. Gardner, of 
Sherburne, by whom two children were born; Gardner W., who 
died in his ninth year, March 3, 1898, and Bessie, now a student 
at Syracuse University. 

The Hunt Family— Among those who first came to Smyrna 
was the Hunt family, who came from Connecticut. Two 
brothers, Joseph and Lymelus settled on Smyrna Hill. Joseph 
had nine children, as follows: Lester, Laura, Lydia, Lucius, Ed- 
win, Melinda, Henry, Daniel and Dency; and also forty-six 
grandchildren. Lester married a Noathout; Edwin married Ade- 
line Ladd; Daniel married Polly Dutcher; and Dency married 
John House. These all moved to Illinois. Henry married Ade- 
line Tisdale and moved to New York city. The rest married 
and stayed in Smyrna. Lucius remained at the homestead, mar- 
ried and had a family of nine children. George, many years 
well known here, married Mary Jane Dixon, and their children 
are all now living at Norwich; Emily married William V. Brand, 
(his second wife.) Caroline, remains single, an excellent nurse 
and a woman with many friends. Melinda married Henry 
Beekman, her home being at Cazenovia, Madison County. 
Anna was the first wife of Myron Collins, and a most excellent 
woman; Dency was the second wife of Wells Sexton. She was 
a pleasant, social and good natured lady, much esteemed by the 
many who made her acquamtance. Mary became the wife of 
Epenetus R. Bassctt, a native of Madison County. They were 
most excellent neighbors, as we can truly testify. They have 
five grown up sons, among them being Alton, now a resident of 

78 



Our First Old Home Week 



Oswego; Lucius, a resident of Belknap, Iowa; Ellis A., of Ed- 
meston, and Charles H., of Moosup Valley, R. I., all with fami- 
lies of their own. Harvey Hunt married Celia Smith. 

Lymelus had six children, two moving to Watertown, an- 
other to Illinois, two dying when quite young, the other staying 
on the homestead. 

It is related that on one occasion, one of the sons, not as 
strong as the rest, who was accustomed to do errands for the 
family and neighbors, was sent to mill with a large grist on his 
horse's back, the path being marked by blazed trees. He was 
obliged to wait till night for the grist, and on his return found 
that the spring freshet had washed away the bridge over Pleas- 
ant Brook. (This bridge stood in the same place as the one re- 
cently washed away, and it seems there were bridge troubles in 
other days.) He made the horse swim the stream, but lost near- 
ly all the meal, so that all the neighbors had for a number of 
days, was what was saved and divided up among them. The 
Hunts were said to be Connecticut Blue Law Presbyterians, lay- 
ing aside the week's work on Saturday night, to be resumed 
again on the going down of the sun on Sunday. They were 
truly excellent citizens, and some of the best people who ever 
resided here. 

The Ferris Family— Among the early settlers in the west- 
ern part of the town, were the four Ferris brothers, Robert, Jo- 
seph. Benjamin and John. The first named lived on the place 
now owned by Ziba Tuttle, the house standing some eighty rods 
south of the present farm house. He had three sons, Jesse, 
Aaron and Silas, the first of whom married Zeruah Decker, to 
whom nine children were born. Ann married Aaron L. Ferris, 
of Bedford, Mich. Nathaniel was a well known and greatly re- 
spected deacon of the Congregational Church, and took a great 
interest in the Sunday School. He is survived by his three stal- 
wart sons, Cleveland N., Cortland L., and Leland L., each with 
families of their own. The oldest son of the former, is Frank, 
now a resident of Norwich, a fireman on the Ontario & West- 

79 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



ern road, and one of the victims in the recent flood disaster at 
Wood's Corners, who luckily escaped with his life. Warren, 
the younger son, is also a resident of Norwich. 

Cortland has one son, Harry N., born here some twency-five 
years ago, now in business with his father at Oriskany Falls, N. 
Y. Leland has three children, Leo, a bright youngster, a young- 
er son and an infant daughter. He has recently purchased the 
old Sweet farm, and is one of our prospering farmers. Other 
children of Jesse Ferris were Caleb, the father of William Ferris, 
of Sherburne; James; Abram D., father of Morell E., who now 
resides at Earlville with his family; George, the father of Court- 
ney E., so long a resident here, whose wife was Lepha, a daugh- 
ter of the late Ziba Tuthill. These were among the best of citi- 
2ens, and also worthy soldiers in the War of the Rebellion. 

Courtney E., the last mentioned, married Carrie Kellogg, of 
Norwich, and they have four daughters, Edith, the wife of Jesse 
H. Packer, now of Canajoharie, N. Y., and Harriet, Adelaide 
and Helen, all born in Smyrna, where they have many friends. 
They are now located at Berwick, Pa., where Mr. Ferris is en- 
gaged in business. 

Elizabeth F., wife of the late Alexander Cleveland, Mary M., 
wife of the late Robert H. Willcox, and Lucina, wife of Wells 
Tallett, of Otselic, were each most excellent women and held in 
the highest esteem by all who knew them. The only remaining 
member of the family is James M., once well and favorably 
known here, now a resident of Frederika, Iowa, 

Joseph Ferris married Sally, a sister of "Baby" Wood, nick- 
named on account of his immense weight, which was said to 
have been at least four hundred pounds. Their home was the 
present farm of Franklin D. Coy, on the opposite side of the 
road. His son Ziba built the original Coy home and died there 
the 14th of April, 1865, the day that President Lincoln was as- 
sassinated. There were two daughters. Ruth, who married 
Smith A. Cleveland, and Thankful, who married Dwight Wil- 
ber; also an adopted daughter, who married Charles O. Tuttle. 

80 



Our First Old Home Week 



Benjamin married Lydia, a daughter of Joseph Hunt, and 
aunt of the late George Hunt, and settled on the farm known as 
the William Sprague farm. They had four sons: Fox, who was 
deaf and dumb, Myron, Sidney and Norman, and two daughters, 
Harriet, who married a gentleman named Glazier, and Serena, 
who became the wife of the late Gilbert Stanton. 

John Ferris lived over the hill to the southwest on the farm 
now owned by Emmet Brown. He had one son, Austin, a kind 
hearted citizen, who lived upon the farm nearly if not quite all 
his lifetime, and died there some thirty years ago. There were 
also two daughters. One married James Cox, of Plymouth, 
the other Luther P. Blair, a former well known citizen of this 
town. 

Deacon Gardiner James Kinyon, one of the early settlers 
of Smyrna, was born near West Greenwich in the state of Rhode 
Island, January 7, 1 797, being one of six children, nearly all of 
whom in later years became residents of the state of New York. 
When Gardiner was about seven years old his father, after a 
brief sickness, died, and it became necessary for the family to be 
separated. At this time some neighbors and friends of the fam- 
ily were about to move west to join settjers in the state of New 
York and, after much anxiety on the part of his excellent Chris- 
tian mother, it was decided that Gardiner should be taken with 
this company to the settlement in Sherburne, Chenango County. 
He was hastily gotten ready and came with them to Sherburne 
Hill where he was placed in the family of Rev. Joshua Knight, 
pastor of the church there. Here he remained until he was four- 
teen years old, at which time he was apprenticed to Mr. Hial 
Hart, who lived in Smyrna village, to learn the trade of carpen- 
ter and joiner. He served an apprenticeship of seven years, or 
until he was of age, and the next day commenced business on 
his own account and met with commendable success. 

On September 26, 1822, he was married to Miss Grace Col- 
lins, oldest daughter of Joseph Collins, a highly respected woolen 
manufacturer who lived anii carried on business about two miles 
and a half north from Smyrna village. His residence still stands 

81 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



and is now the property of Deloss Brooks; and the old factory 
unti recently, siood not far away. Soon after the marriage he 
moved to U^ca, then a thriving village, but while there suffered 
"virdy from fiver and he remained but a short penod returnmg 
to Smyrna and continuing to work at h.s trade. 

In 1829 and 1830 he purchased a farm on the Sherburne 
J one mile east of Smyrna village. Here he hve for over 
twenty years conducting his farm and giving more or less atten- 
Co his trade Here two of his five children were bom and 
hereall griwto manhood and womanhood, attending school 
and church for the most part in Smyrna village. 

in the spring of 1848 he bought a stock of merchandise and 
the Ire formerly occupied by Harvey Talcott, deceased, and 
aking his two eldest sons, Loren C and James Hervey, in o 
corlpany with him, carried on a thriving business, contmuing in 
company w th one or both of these sons till near the tirne of his 
deT nTnever aspired to public favor or accepted public office. 
TT;. «f. he became a Christian and united with the church, 
hU na:e nd^hSis wife being among the ^rst fifty names 

i::;r"^;;'r^:LrcSiaSrip:^ 
EmS^j-rrrorof^rc^h^^^^^^^ 

r^sponsTe to the call of duty. He was not a great man, but he 
""^i: Tst rSuiltfor himself a house in the village of Smyrna, 

tillhisdeathonFebruary 17, 1857. 

James H. Kinyon succeeded him in business and remained 
with tteamily until i860, when they ^U disposed of their in- 
Te ests in Smyrna, and moved to Wilhamsport, Pa. Here Mrs. 
G^^^e Kinyon! the' mother, died in 1868, beloved and lamented, 
at the age of 71 years. 

All the family are now deceased but the youngest son My- 
ron t/wuSs in Pawt^^^^^^ of Rhode island, 




MYRONlT. KENYON. 



Our First Old Home Week 



and to him we are indebted for the interesting matter concerning 
the Kinyon family once so well and so favorably known here, 
Mr. Kinyon is a true Christian gentleman, who honors and re- 
spects his noble ancestry, whose life is but a reflection of the lives 
of his sainted parents long since gone before. Mr. Kinyon re- 
tains a deep interest in his native town, and is still an occasional 
and a welcome visitor to the old home. He was a promi- 
nent figure during the observance of Old Home Week in 1904, 
preaching an able sermon in the tent meeting on the evening of 
Old Home Sunday, in which he most earnestly admonished his 
hearers to hold fast to the religion of the fathers. At the ban- 
quet he gave a most interesting address, responding to the toast, 
"Our Musicians." 

Horace Newell and family came from Lewis County, N. 
Y., in the winter of 1829, settling on a farm northwest of Smyrna 
village, in the Reynolds district, remaining there sixteen years, 
moving in the spring of 1845 to Dark Hollow, where they lived 
one year. They then moved to Sherburne, near the Four Cor- 
ners, where they resided eight years and where Mr. Newell buried 
his second wife, Mary Boyd. In 1861 he married Phoebe Ca-^ 
boon, of Norwich, and bought a small place at North Norwich, 
where he died on the first day of August, 1876, aged 78 years. 

The Newells trace their ancestry back to 1635, when three 
brothers came from England, to Lynn, Mass. Nathaniel Newell 
came to Windsor, Conn., settling on land twenty miles north- 
east of Hartford, in 1 772, receiving his deed under the reign of 
King George the Third. The original deed is now in the pos- 
session of Winifred Jaynes, of Collinwood, Ohio, in a good 
state of preservation. The descendants of Nathaniel Newell are 
now living on the original farm, and this Nathaniel Newell had 
five sons and one daughter. Asa, John, Charles, Nathaniel, 
Daniel and Love. 

Nathaniel, the father of Horace Newell, Sr., had five sons 
and two daughters; Horace, Warren, Nathaniel, Amherst, Anson, 
Betsey and Moriva, their mother being Betsey Dewry, of Leba- 
non, Ct. Horace married Diadema Wood, of Somcrs, Ct., in 

83 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



1820, by whom were born nine children, as follows: Horace J., 
Orrin W., Otis, Mary, Marvin, Maria B., Harriet, Loren D. and 
Frances, all now deceased except Orrin W., now of Sunnyside, 
Wash,, who has kindly furnished this sketch, and Horace J., 
now well and favorably known as a resident of Sherburne. 

Orrin W. married Martha Lord, of Pitcher, to whom were 
born five children, lUini H., Ida D., Celia E, George E. and 
Winnie L. The first named died September 10, 1876, in his 
23d year. Ida married L. Austin, of Walla Walla, Wash., and 
they have two sons, Clarence and Frederick N. Celia married 
A. F. Randolph, of Sunnyside, Wash,, and they have two daugh- 
ters, Grace and Blanche, and one son, Stanley. George E. mar- 
ried Myra B. Bassett, of Plainfield, N. Y., who died in Baltimore, 
Md. His second wife was Bertha Cramer, of Wisconsin, to 
whom was born one son, George E., Jr. George E., Sr., is a 
very prominent physician at Buena Vista, Col. Winnie L. mar- 
ried W. H. Jaynes, of Collinwood, Ohio, and they have two 
daughters, Mabel and Edna, and one son, Lee. Mary married 
for her first husband, Robert Drummond, of Sterling, Scotland, 
(uncle to the late Henry Drummond) by whom she had one 
son, who died in youth. Her second husband was Rev. William 
Parry of the Free Methodist Church, now also gone over the 
river. 

Horace J. Newell married Jennie Smith, of McGraw, Cort- 
land County, by whom were born two children, one dying in 
infancy, the other. May, who married our former townsman, 
Lynn D. Willcox, now of Sherburne. His second wife was 
Cleopatra Willey, by whom were born three children, all now 
deceased except Florence, who a few months since married Wal- 
ter P. Faulkner, of Sherburne, and they now occupy the Newell 
farm making a pleasant home for the father who remains with 
them. His third wife, also now deceased, was Almira Dexter. 

Loren D. was a member of the 114th Regiment, N. Y. S. V., 
and was killed in the battle of Winchester. Harriet married Al- 
bert Lord, of Taylor, by whom were six children; Mary married 

t4 



Our First Old Home Week 



a gentleman named Powers, of South Onondaga, N. Y., and 
Frances married Albert Wynn. Nathaniel Newell married Dia- 
dema Wood, of Somers, Conn., whose mother was Mary Dim- 
mick of that place, related to the Eber Dimrnick family else- 
where mentioned in this volume. We have not space to men- 
tion all the different members of this most interesting family, 
but it is one of the largest of any mentioned, though now scat- 
tered to all parts of the country, and the descendants of the fam- 
ily have a high standing in the different sections wherever they 
are located. 

James Purdie and family, natives of Paisley, Scotland, came 
from Norwich, England, to New York Mills, Oneida County, in 
the spring of 1827, and in the fall of 183 1 moved to Smyrna, 
onto the farm known as the Purdie farm, now the property of 
Clarence Moore. Mrs. Purdie was Margaret Lisle. Mr. Purdie's 
death took place at this farm December 29, 1839, in his 71st 
year, and that of his wife September 21, 1857, in her 82d year. 
Their children were Alexander, father of the late Dr. A. J. Pur- 
die, a successful physician of Otselic, N. Y.; James, whose death 
occurred some seventy years ago; Thomas, who married Abi- 
gail Burgess, and was a long time resident of our town, residing 
on the old Purdie farm. Of the children of Thomas and Abigail 
were Theodocia, now the wife of George Jenness; Thomas J., 
now deceased, whose wife and young son now reside in New 
York; Ellen J., now deceased; and James L, also deceased, who 
married for his first wife Emma Green, by whom was one son, 
James L. S., now in business in this village, and for his second 
wife Esther, a daughter of the late Erastus G. Hall. 

Samuel Purdie died in 1891, in his 87th year, and Margaret, 
who married Benjamin R. Knowles, died October 10, 1893, in 
her 86th year. John, married Dorcas Williams. Other 
members of this family were: Priscilla; Marion L., who mar- 
ried Henry H. Willcox, and who still survives him, greatly es- 
teemed by all, in her 97th year; and Jane, who married Collins 
Stanbro, of Brook field. 

Simon C. Hayward, whose father was Benjamin B. Hay- 

8S 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



ward, and whose mother was Sally A. Rice, of Scockbridge, 
Mass., came to Smyrna in 18)2, at the age of sixteen. He mar- 
ried Abigail, a daughter of Seymour Isbell, by whom were four 
children, only two surviving as follows: Sarah J., who first 
married Algernon, the oldest son of the late Alonzo Bennett, and 
after his decease, became the esteemed wife of our respected 
townsman, Abel Comstock; and Mary D., who married Isaac 
D. Wade, a vteran of the Civil war, now deceased, by whom 
was one son, Frank D., who passed away in early life. Mr. 
Hay ward's death occurred June 1, 1889, and he was survived by 
his wife till April 23, 1903. 

Gardner Stanbro was born November 1, 181 3, at Plain- 
field, Otsego County, and on August 29, 1832, was married to 
Diadema Caswell, of Exeter, in the same county. On April 1, 
1833, they moved to Smyrna, where they afterwards resided, 
living sixty-seven years together. Mr. Stanbro's death occurred 
November 4, 1903, his wife surviving him but six weeks. Mr. 
Stanbro, in his day, was one of the foremost and most promi- 
nent men in our town and, with his wife, excellent entertainers 
and their home was always most hospitable. He established a 
tannery and successfully continued the same until failing health 
compelled him to withdraw from active business. In connec- 
tion with the same he also conducted a boot and shoe shop, and 
even in later years, did nearly all his own work in that line. A 
man of strong principles, generous and kind to all, especially to 
those in trouble, he was liberal in supporting churches, consider- 
ing them a necessity for the good and welfare of the community. 
Later in life he was a member of the Congregational Church in 
this village. In politics he was a Democrat and was many 
times chosen as a delegate to the County and State Conventions. 
In 1858 he was a candidate for Member of Assembly, making a 
strong run in spite of a large opposition majority in the county. 
There were four children, all now deceased except Julia D., who 
became the wife of the late Dr. F. D. Beebe, of Hamilton, who 
still lives to enjoy the esteem and respect of all who know her. 
Levi G. married Lucy, a daughter of the late Benjamin R. 

86 




EBER DIMMICK 



Our First Old Home Week 



Knowles, and to them were born two children; Gardner married 
and is in business at Atlanta, Ga.; and Margaret, the wife of G, 
Bert Tracy, residing on Smyrna Hill, with one young daughter, 
Lucy, and a young son. Sabrina married James P. Willcox, 
son of the late Henry H. Willcox, to whom were born two chil- 
dren, Hadwen P., now a successful physician at Central Square, 
Oswego County, and Harriet, now the wife of William P. Briggs, 
of Norwich, and they have one son, William, now in his tenth 
year. 

Eber Dimmick was born in Stafford, Tolland County, Ct., 
March 18, 1794, the oldest of a family of nine children born to 
Ephraim and Polly Saxton Dimmick, none of whom are now 
living. In 1818 he married Rosetta, a daughter of Captain Jesse 
Foote, of Stafford, and was the father of five children; Frances 
E. Dimmick born January 23, 1819, who married Calista Rey- 
nolds Willcox, April 26, 1851, both now deceased; there was 
born to them one son, Cyrus E., an exceedingly bright young 
man, the pride of his parents, whose untimely death occurred 
in his twenty-first year, in the spring of 1873. Cyrus Foote 
Dimmick, born January 26, 1822, died March 18, 1851, from 
an injury received from trying to stop a runaway team ; Mary 
R., born December 3, 1825, married Asa Wilbur September 27, 
1847, and died July 15, 1892; Emily C, born February 28, 
1829, married Addison Taylor, of Pitcher, March 19, 1857, died 
February 7, 1889, and Duane D., born October 2, 1836, 

Eber Dimmick came to this county in 1820, and settled in 
the town of Plymouth, Chenango County. Five years later he 
moved to Hamilton, and soon after that to Sherburne. In the 
spring of 1833 he moved to Smyrna, where he lived until his 
death August 10, 1876. He was one of the pioneers of the 
Methodist Church in Smyrna, with which he united at an early 
day, and remained faithful through life. He was very active in 
building the first M. E. Church of the town, and was always one 
its most influential members. A kind and affectionate husband 
and father, a man of strict integrity, and an earnest advocate of 
Anti-Slavery and Anti-Masonry as well, did not hesitate to ex- 

87 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



press his views on those subjects at any time and place. He was 
called upon at different times to fill various town offices, Super- 
visor, Justice of the Peace, and minor offices, and in 1840 repre- 
sented Chenango County in the New York State Legislature, to 
the greatest satisfaction of all his constituents. 

The history of the Dimmick family can be traced back 
through thirteen generations, to Sir John Dymoke, who held 
the title of King's Champion, and as such officiated at the Coro- 
nation of King Edward 11, of England; and until the present 
time that title has remained in the family, descending to the male 
heir, in each generation, the present holder of the same being 
Frank Seman Dymoke, of Scrivsby Court, Holmcastle, Eng- 
land. Later some of the younger sons emigrated to America, 
where their descendants now live, some spelling their names 
Dimock, others Dimick, and still others Dimmick. 

The first account of the Dimmick family in this country was 
in 1630, when Thomas Dimock and Joseph Hall, received from 
the Crown of Great Britain a grant of land which is now the 
town of Barnstable, Ct. The best known and most influential 
remaining member of this excellent family, is Duane D. Dim- 
mick, who was born here October 2, 1836, spending his boy- 
hood days here, and in 1861 enlisting in the 44th New York In- 
fantry, (Ellsworth's Avengers,) serving two years. He is a re- 
spected resident of Earlville, where he has been Village Clerk for 
ten years, and a Justice of the Peace of the town 'of Hamilton 
for fourteen years and it is saiJ he has never had a decision ap- 
pealed. Mr. Dimmick is also much interested in Grand Army 
matters and is a leading member of Stephen Weaver Post, G. A. 
R., of this village. His wife was Amelia E. Bacon, and they 
have one daughter, Gertrude A., now the wife of Rev Fred. S. 
Smith, of Bernardston, Mass. 

The Nearings were of German descent. Henry Nearing 
came from Brook field, Ct., to Otsego County, in the very early 
days of 1800, having a family of eight sons and five daughters. 
Philo Nearing, one of the sons, came to Smyrna in the spring of 
1835, and located on the farm recently known as the Alfred Tay- 

88 




FRANCIS E. DIMMICK. 



Our First Old Home Week 



lor farm, his death occurring in 1862. He had three sons and 
four daughters, as follows: Marcus E. left Smyrna, when a 
young man, spent his life in the western part of state and died 
at Wellsville in February, 1891; another son, Addison, died in 
the Civil war; Charlotte A. married Lyndall Holley, their home 
being the old Holley farm until later years when they moved to 
the village, where they resided until her decease June 28, 1883; 
Jane C. married Alfred Taylor, a well-to-do farmer who came 
from Plymouth. Of both Mrs. Holley and Mrs. Taylor it may 
be truthfully said, theirs were lives of usefulness and earnestly 
devoted to the interests of the Methodist Church of Smyrna, of 
which they were most faithful and sincere members. Lois M. 
Nearing married Seymour Fairman and now lives at her only 
daughter's, Mrs. S. F. Charmell, at Wellsboro, Pa. Myra mar- 
ried William Taylor, of Pitcher, and still survives him. Perci- 
val D. Nearing married Clara, a daughter of Richard D. Taylor, 
and purchased the old Foote farm one mile south of the village. 
He became a prosperous farmer and cattle dealer, rising to prom- 
inence in the town and county. In 1891 he sold his farm and 
moved with his family to Middletown, N. Y., where he has be- 
come well and favorably known. They have three daughters, 
Florence, the older; Fanny, now the wife of W. W. Reade, a 
resident of New York city; and Persis, the youngest, the wife of 
Charles A. Dienng, of Philadelphia, Pa. Eloise, the second 
daughter, was an invalid for several years, and died at the Near- 
ing home some eighteen years ago. 

Horace T. Nearing the only member of the family now re- 
siding here, has reached the age of 89 years, and is respected by 
all his neighbors and friends, who try to cheer and brighten his 
last remaining days. His family, now all deceased, will be 
pleasantly remembered by all. Annotte, the oldest daughter, be- 
came the wife of William P. Hall; Ellen, the younger daughter, 
the wife of C. Dever Stokes; Marshall E, the only son, married 
Diana Widger, of Oxford, both now deceased, and the only 
grandchild is Mrs. Frank Campbell, of Earlville, the only daugh- 
ter of William P. Hall. 

89 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Simon Taylor was a British soldier, becoming a prisoner 
by the surrender of Burgoyne's army October 7, 1777, coming 
to the town of Plymouth, this county, about the year 1805, 
where his death took place April 4, 1834, at the age of 78 years. 
Richard D. Taylor, his son, married Laura Harrington, Decem- 
ber 14, 1823, and moved to Smyrna, onto the farm generally 
kno>vn at present as the Byron Wells farm. In later years he 
moved to the present Robbins place, where their deaths occurred. 
Like his worthy sire the son was a man of strict integrity and 
sterling character, becoming not only a leading man in the town, 
but with his worthy wife very influential in the Methodist Church 
of which they were both earnest members. Politically he was 
an old school Democrat, and though his party was in a large 
minority in his town, he many times headed his party for town 
offices. 

His daughter, Pamelia, married Cyrenus M. Briggs, a worthy 
farmer citizen, now deceased, and there were three children, Wil- 
liam P., the oldest, now of Norwich, whose first wife was Minnie 
E, a sister of Lawrence B. Cleveland, and there was one 
child, a daughter, Minnie C, now the wife of Charles P. Knight, 
of Binghamton; Charles R., of Apulia, N. Y., with his wife and 
interesting family of five children at Apulia, N. Y., and Clara E., 
the wife of our former citizen, John C. Smith, now of Chitte- 
nango, N. Y. Mrs. Briggs* second husband was Rev. James Er- 
win, now deceased, whose early years were spent in preaching 
the gospel to the people of Northern New York, before the for- 
ests were cleared away, and when the different charges were 
sometimes far removed from the larger settlements and only 
reached on foot or on horseback. Mrs. Erwm is still living, a 
devoted mother, and an earnest Christian woman, ever faithful 
to her family and her church, always true to the interests of 
those around her, whether rich or poor. Clara, as has been 
stated, married Percival D. Nearing, Addison married Emily, a 
daughter of the late Eber Dimmick, becoming a resident of 
Pitcher, this county. Alfred, as has also been stated, married 
Jane C. Nearing, and was one of our prosperous citizens, in pol- 

90 



Our First Old Home Week 



itics a Democrat, alive to the interests of his party. Of this 
most excellent family, we desire to mention the oldest son, Ar- 
thur A., whose small stature did not deter him from obtaining a 
good education. His scope could not be hemmed in by the lit- 
tle hills of Smyrna, and in the early seventies he wended his 
way by steamer to California, and found a new home in one of 
the most delightful valleys in that whole state, in the handsome 
city of Santa Cruz. Here he has made for himself a name, and 
is the editor and proprietor of the Santa Cruz Daily and Weekly 
Surf, and a leading citizen of the place. Fred P., the second son, a 
worthy and most conscientious young man, became a prosper- 
ous minister in the Wyoming Methodist Conference, his sad and 
lamentable death occurring at Wells Bridge, Otsego County, 
where he was located, in the summer of 1879. Frank R., the 
third son has always been a resident of our town, and is now lo- 
cated at the village where he has a successful harness and wagon 
business in the Fagan building. His wife was Ella P., the adopt- 
ed daughter of the late Charles G. Dixon, and they occupy the 
old Dixon homestead. Alfred Burt, the youngest son, is a resi- 
dent of Palmyra, this state, and has a family of his own. 

Benjamin Barber resided in Smyrna some seventy or more 
years ago, a man most useful in the community, a decidedly 
christian character whose strong influence for good was espec- 
ially felt. He was a son of a minister of the same name in 
Richmond, R. I., and he indeed honored his revered parents. 
Both Mr. Barber and his esteemed wife were many years devot- 
ed members of the Baptist Church in Smyrna, and their hospi- 
table home was always open with a warm welcome to the stu- 
dent preachers of those days. Of their children, the three sons 
were endowed with fine mechanical skill which they very suc- 
cessfully improved. James S., the oldest, moved to Illinois 
early in the forties, and engaged in the grain and lumber busi- 
ness after which for twenty years he was in trade in the city of 
Philadelphia. Eight years ago he returned to Norwich, mak- 
ing his home with his aged sisters. The younger son, George, 
-spent several years in Illinois and Pennsylvania, but the most of 

91 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



his life was in the latter state and in Michigan, extensively en- 
gaged in the building and lumber business, where he died Octo- 
ber 5, 1903. 

The one especially known and remembered in this vicinity, 
was Benjamin Barber, Jr., who, about the year 1850, began 
clerking in the drug store of Trowbridge Shepard in this village, 
and later in a book store in Watertown. He will be best re- 
membered by his connection with the old book store on South 
Broad street, at Norwich, now conducted by E. L. Nash. Like 
his father, a devoted Christian man, he was greatly missed and 
mourned by all who knew him, when his death occurred in 1886. 
The daughters, Mary, (who has recently passed away,) and 
Agnes, were the stay of their parents in their declining years, 
filling their lives with usefulness along various lines of benevo- 
lent and religious work, which most surely has entitled them to 
the respect and commendation of all. It is said that when the 
Baptist Church was moved from the hill northeast of the village, 
Benjamin Barber, Sr., who was an excellent carpenter, had the 
contract for the work and also for the re-modeling and improv- 
ing of the building which was done at that time. Mr. Barber 
was also successor to Gardner & Talcott in one of the most im- 
portant industries of Smyrna, seventy years ago, the manufac- 
ture of Linseed oil, a business involving extensive travel with a 
team to collect the flax for the production of the genuine article 
which painters in our day would be very glad to obtain. After 
a few years the mill was burned causing a very heavy loss to the 
owner, who re-built the same, and not many years later sold the 
plant to William Faucett, returning to the mercantile business 
which he followed till the year 1853, when he moved to a farm 
in Norwich. The site of the old mill was that of the old cheese 
box factory on the present Widger place. 

Another Barber family, a complete sketch of which we very 
much regret we are unable to obtain, was that of Joshua, who 
married Isabel Sprague, whose sons, Horace and Sprague were 
well-to-do and respected by all, the former marrying Cynthia 
Sutliflf and living all his life in Smyrna, and the latter marrying 

92 




AUGUSTIN PIEFk. 



Our First Old Home Week 



and locating in Otselic, where his death took place not many 
years ago. Julius S., the son of Horace was born in Smyrna, 
and married Delphernia, a daughter of the late Alfred Willcox, 
and there were born to them a son and a daughter, Jesse D., 
who married Nellie, the oldest daughter of Wellington A. Gra- 
ham, and Cora, who is now the wife of Gardner N, Willcox, as 
has been before stated. 

AUGUSTIN Pier was born in Otego, Otsego County, N. Y., 
February 8, 1820, coming to Smyrna when but sixteen years of 
age, where he afterwards resided excepting four or five years 
spent in Auburn, this state. His father was Heman Pier, born 
at Great Barrington, Mass., and his grandparents John and 
Phoebe Pier, the latter a daughter of Joseph and Betsey Tobey, 
who were ihe second family in Smyrna. His first wife was 
Olive, a daughter of the late Cyrus Simons, by whom one 
daughter was born, Millie, the esteemed wife of Horace Sexton, 
now of Sherburne. His second wife was Sarah Rusk, of Au- 
burn, N. Y., and to them a daughter came, but was taken from 
them at the age of seven years, in the winter of 1865, an event 
which saddened the lives of this worthy couple for many years. 
Mr. Pier's death occurred on March 19, 1898, at his home in 
this village, his wife still surviving him, a most estimable woman, 
making her home with Mrs. Sexton. 

Augustin Pier was an honest and an upright citizen, a plain, 
painstaking man, doing his best at whatever he undertook. He 
was always an ardent Republican, holding for many years the 
office of Justice of the Peace besides many minor offices. In 
rhe village he was many times elected trustee, and was several 
times its honored president. He was also for many years a re- 
spected member of the school board, always taking a deep inter- 
est in the success of the school, and usually did what he thought 
best for the interest of the taxpayers of the district. His busi- 
ness was formerly farming, but in later years he was a prosper* 
ous boot and shoe maker at the village. His remains were 
buried in the East Burial Ground in this village. 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



The Dixon Family— One of the best known families in 
their day in the town, was the Dixon family; of Scotch-Irish de- 
scent, who moved here from Sherburne in the spring of 1837, 
the grandfather moving to the house now occupied by William 
L. Chapman; the father purchasing the house and lot so long 
afterwards known as the Dixon homestead, now the property of 
our genial postmaster, Jonathan W.JBoynton. The grandfather, 
Major Joseph Dixon, was born in Rutland, Vt., in 1754, becom- 
ing an officer in the Revolutionary Army, taking part in the bat- 
tle of Bunker Hill and also at Yorktown, when Lord Cornwallis 
surrendered. At the close of the war he married Mercy Ray- 
mond, and moved to Manchester, and later to Sherburne, where 
he was said to have accumulated a considerable fortune. Their 
home was for many years that of the late Levi N. Smith, on 
West Hill, one of the finest farms in the vicinity, which still fur- 
nishes many "attractions in summer for the Dixon family, most 
favorite of all perhaps might be mentioned Buttermilk Falls. 
Mr. Dixon died at his home on the 18th of May, 1839, in his 
85th year and sleeps his last sleep in the old part of the burial 
ground at Sherburne West Hill. His third son, John Milton 
Dixon, was born in Sherburne in 1801, becoming a farmer and 
an extensive dealer in live stock, and was said to have been well- 
to-do. He married Mary A. Sutphen, of Cherry Valley, and the 
following children were bom to them: Charles G. married Per- 
sis, a daughter of Solomon S. Hall. At sixteen years of age 
went to New York city and entered the mercantile business, re- 
maining there twelve years, thence going to Detroit for one year, 
thence a year at Chicago, three years following at St. Louis, 
thence returning east becoming a member of the firm of Dixon 
Brothers, which partnership lasted three years, and after that re- 
maining in the employ of the firm until October, 1872, when he 
again became a member of the firm, with which he continued 
till his death March 18, 1882. Mr. Dixon was a member of 
Sherburne Lodge, No. 444, F. & A. M., Chenango Chapter, No. 
253, R. A. M., and Norwich Commandery, No. 46, K. T. 
Through all his life he was held in the highest esteem by all who 

94 




HERBERT M. DIXON. 



Our First Old Home Week 



knew him. Mary J., the oldest daughter, in early years a school 
teacher, was a most estimable woman, those qualities which 
made the children love and cling to her extending to her whole 
life. A most faithful member of the Congregational Church 
she was always much interested in that church and its work. 
She married George Hunt, a son of Lucius Hunt, and to them 
were born five children, all prospering, retaining many of the ex- 
cellent qualities of their parents. Flora, the oldest, married 
Oscar G. Bell, now of Norwich; Charles H. married Jessie, a 
daughter of Francis G. Stanton, and there is one son, Howard; 
Merton L. and J. Williston are both married and in business at 
Norwich, and Maud, the youngest daughter, a graduate of the 
Norwich High School, is married and resides in Minneapolis, 
Minn. Rexie V., like her sister Mrs. Hunt, spent the most of 
her life in Smyrna, in her early life a school teacher, invariably 
giving the best of satisfaction, becoming also a most faithful 
member of the Congregational Church, and a teacher in the 
Sunday School, for many years having in her charge a class of 
young boys, who were closely drawn into her confidence and 
esteem. In character she was modest and retiring to a fault; 
yet always studying to relieve the wants of those around her, 
and make others happy, as was fully shown in her many years' 
care of her aged and respected mother. Her death occurred Feb- 
ruary 28, 1868. 

Carrie Dixon Copeland was bom April 13, 1841. Her girl- 
hood was spent in and around Smyrna. She graduated from 
Temple Grove Institute, Saratoga, N. Y., in June, 1862, adopted 
teaching as her life-work, being Preceptress of Montrose Semi- 
nary, Pennsylvania, a number of years, also teaching in the Pub- 
lic Schools of Rosemond, 111. Miss Dixon was married to Mal- 
colm H. Copeland in Smyrna, December 10, 1866, moved to 
Illinois, and from thence to Arkansas a few years later, where 
she and her husband taught together, finally founding Siloam 
Academy, at Siloam Springs, Ark. The family moved to Col- 
orado in 1888, where Mrs. Copeland passed away in 1896, after 

95 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



a life spent in doing good deeds and cheering lonely lives. Mrs. 
Copeland was very active in church work, singing in the choir 
at different times, teaching Sunday School classes, not only in 
her own denomination, but also in Mission Sunday Schools. 
Her classes were generally in the primary department or young 
men, in both of which departments she was most successful. 
She devoted much time to temperance work in the W. C T. U., 
organized Loyal Legions and conducted several Demorest Medal 
contests. She was one of the Charter members of the Woman's 
Relief Corps, being instrumental in its organization at Durango, 
Col. Mrs. Copeland was a woman of wonderful adaptability, 
gaining the sympathy and love of all with whom she came in 
contact, high or low, rich or poor. 

Herbert M. Dixon, best known of all this famous family, 
was born in the house known as the Russell Harrington house 
on Sherburne West Hill, on August 7, 1836. At ten years of 
age he began working on a farm and when he was fifteen, en- 
tered the store of Loren Kenyon at Smyrna village, as clerk, re- 
maining there a few years when he entered the employ of C. H. 
and N. P. Wheeler, of Norwich. He returned to Smyrna in 
1858, opening a branch store in the interest of the above firm. 
In i860, Mr. Dixon in company with John S. Blackman bought 
out the Wheeler interest, and were in business one year under 
the name of Dixon & Blackman, when the latter's interest was 
purchased, and in the spring of 1866 his brothers Charles G. and 
M. C. became his partners under the firm name of Dixon 
Brothers, the same lasting three years under a limitation 
of co-partnership. In the spring of 1872 Charles G. again 
became a partner, continuing until the death of the latter in 
the spring of 1882, after which he continued in business under 
the same name, alone, until he sold out to E. L. Whitney in the 
spring of 1896. This country store in a farming community 
in its palmy days did an enormous business, excelling many 
larger stores in much larger towns, and its annual sales some 
years reached one hundred thousand dollars. The business was 
affected by the hard times in the early nineties and this was the 

96 



Our First Old Home Week 



reason of its sale to Mr. Whitney as above stated. Mr. Dixon 
married Janet A., daughter of Deacon L. B. Collins of singing 
fame, and the estimable wife and two grown up sons are doing 
active christian work, following closely in the footsteps of the 
revered husband and father. At sixteen years of age, Herbert 
M. Dixon united with the Congregational Church in Smyrna. 
He was an active worker in the church and Sunday School until 
his death, serving as clerk and trustee, and for twenty years 
Superintendent of the Sunday School. For forty-two years he 
was Superintendent of the Mission Sunday School at Upperville. 
He was deeply interested in all christian work, and was a mem- 
ber of the County Bible Society, District Sunday School Associa- 
tion and of both the State and National Congregational Home 
Missionary Societies, 

At his decease the following resolutions were adopted by the 
Congregational Sunday School, which were voiced by the en- 
tire community: 

Whereas, Our all wise Heavenly Father has called our brother, 
Herbert M. Dixon, after more than forty years of service in the church 
militant, to enter the rest of the church triumphant. Therefore, 

Resolved, That we bear willing testimony to his earnestness in 
striving to extend the Lord's vrork by every effort in his power and in 
his conduct before the world ; by the untiring zeal with which he gave 
himself to the work of Christ in the Cfrurch and Sunday School, having 
served the school more than a score of years as superintendent, and as 
a faithful teacher and ever faithful helper 

Resolved, That words fail to express the loss to us of his leader- 
ship in song, of the cheerful words, the helping hand, the watchfulness 
toward every good word and work, which marked all his life with us. 

Resolved, That to his family we extend our most loving and tender 
sympathy, and commend them to the Father of all, praying that they 
may be upheld by the same faith and trust that were so long the stay 
and support of our beloved brother. 

Resolved, That these resolutions be placed on the minutes of the 
Sunday School, and that the same be furnished the papers for publica- 
tion. 

Joseph W. Dixon was born November 17, 1833, and came 
with his parents to Smyrna in the spring of 1837 and, as he ad- 

97 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



vanced in years attended the village school, then so-called "Acad- 
emy." In later years he engaged in a store at Earlville, where 
he staid until he was twenty-one years of age, when he went to 
St. Louis and entered the dry goods establishment of B. L. Hard- 
ing & Co., then a prosperous firm in that city. Remaining 
there twenty-one years he became well versed in the dry goods 
business, and returned to Smyrna, where he engaged with the 
firm of Dixon Brothers, continuing in their employ until the 
business was sold to E. L. Whitney, as before stated. Mr. Dixon 
afterwards lived a retired life, but always kept up a great interest 
in the welfare of the town, always remembering old friends and 
faces whom he was glad to meet. At his decease in the sum- 
mer of 1903, a familiar and pleasant face was missed from 
among us. 

Almenzo K. Dixon was born at Smyrna, September 20, 1838, 
and attended the village school until he reached the age of fif- 
teen years, when he went to learn the tinner's trade of Denison 
A Kelsey, in the building now used by Edwin S. Billings as a 
residence. He was lacer in the employ of Horace T. Nearing, 
commencing in the building now used hy the Smyrna Press, and 
later in the Sutliff and Dimmick stores. He started in business 
in his own name in the spring of 1866, in the store occupied by 
him so long, a business which was most successful, and which 
showed the ability of Mr. Dixon as a business man. He was 
clerk of the town for many years, always obliging, but never 
seemed to aspire to a higher office. Mr. Dixon married Corne- 
lia, a daughter of Benjamin Lyon, of Sherburne, and there were 
two children, Herbert S., now a successful physician in Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., and Mary, wife of Clarence C. Riggs, of Walling- 
ford, Ct., with whom he has a pleasant home, surrounded by a 
group of happy grandchildren. Mr. Dixon sold his business in 
the fall of 1890, to William W. Lyon and Cortland L. Fer- 
ris, the former a long time faithful employe. The business is 
now conducted by Lyon & Son. The delay in our publication 
enables us to chronicle the re-marriage of Mr. Dixon to Mrs. 
Kate Hudson Barber, the oldest daughter of our former citizen, 

98 



/ 


, 


1^ 


r 



ALMENZO K. DIXON. 



Our First Old Home Week 



Joel L. Jaynes, which occurred at East Syracuse on the 25th of 
July, a matter of congratulation from all old Smyrnaites. 

Mortimer C. Dixon was born November 18, 1843, and as a 
boy also attended the village school, in his seventeenth year en- 
tering the academy at Homer, N. Y., which he attended two 
years, returning to his home in 1862. Not many months later 
he enlisted in the 15 7th Regiment, N. Y. S. V., serving till the 
close of the war. In the service he was on the staff of Brig. 
Gen. Schinnelfenny, in Virginia, and Gen. Stewart L. Wood- 
ford, and others in the department of the South. After his re- 
turn home he again entered the employ of his brother, Her- 
bert M. Dixon, and in 1866 became a member of the firm of 
Dixon Brothers, with his brothers C. G. and H. M., which co- 
partnership closed in the spring of 1869. After that he contin- 
ued in the employ of the firm, with the exception of a few 
months, until the business was sold to Mr, Whitney. Mr. 
Dixon's first wife was Ellen C, a daughter of William and 
Nancy Sprague, of Smyrna, by whom one daughter was born, 
Elizabeth, now the wife of William J., a son of Abel Comstock, 
with whom he makes his home. He was one of the organizers 
and a charter member of Stephen Weaver Post, G. A. R,, and 
also its first Adjutant. His second wife was Anne Meyers, by 
whom they have one son, Harry M., a "chip of the old block," 
who is now married and lives in Buffalo, N. Y., and is Assistant 
Engineer of the Frontier Telephone Company of that city. 

Sarah S. Dixon, the youngest of the family spent her early 
days at home, and also became a school teacher, winning many 
friends among her pupils, who still remember her with pleasure. 
She too, was a consistent member of the Congregational Church, 
and also a faithful teacher in the Sunday School. She retains a 
great interest in the town of her birth and its people, and is al- 
ways welcome at her old home town. In the summer of 1876, 
she married Erastus C. Billings, and they have two sons, John 
and Walter, both graduates of Colgate University. The present 
home of the family is at Syracuse. 

99 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



The Dixon family was an exceptional family, not only much 
interested in church work, but also most excellent citizens and 
kindly neighbors, their kindness reaching out to the whole town- 
ship where any deed of love could be extended. They were ex- 
cellent singers, and there is scarcely a home in the town where 
their sweet musical voices have not helped to soften the pangs 
of mourning, and given hope to the aching heart. Not one of 
this most excellent family remain at present in the town. 

William V. Brand was born at Brand's Corners, near 
Stonington, Ct., and married Huldah Tefft of that vicinity. 
William V., Jr., so long a resident of our town was born at the 
same place, June 22, iSll, and came to Lisbon, Otsego County, 
when he was ten years of age, and was there bound out until he 
was sixteen. He then went to Brookfield, Madison County, and 
there learned the blacksmith trade, remaining there till he was of 
age, and then in 1839 moving to Smyrna, where he remained a 
few years in the Rexford district, then moving to Smyrna vil- 
lage where he conducted the same business, soon after moving 
to the present Weaver place, and then to the farm now owned 
by his grandson, Benjamin C. Brand, where he lived the remain- 
der of his life. His wife was Mary Sherman, by whom two 
sons were born, both life-long residents of the town. Daniel C, 
the oldest, now deceased, married Calpherna, a daughter of Ben- 
jamin Card, to whom were born two sons, Benjamin C, now 
living at the farm, and Daniel E., an exceedingly bright young 
man, a successful school teacher, highly esteemed by all who 
knew him. He married Elizabeth, a daughter of Solon Hum- 
phrey, his death occurring December 30, 1896, leaving the 
young wife and a host of friends to mourn his untimely death. 
N. Jerome Brand married Adaline, also a daughter of Benjamin 
Card, and they have one son, now a resident of Sherburne. Mr. 
Brand has held various offices to the satisfaction of his constitu- 
ents, and is one of the leading farmers of that part of the town. 

Henry Keller, of Dutch descent, came from Root, Mont- 
gomery County, in 1839, a section of the state replete with sto- 

too 



Our First Old Home Week 



ries of ghosts and goblins, firmly believed by the people of those 
days, and Mr. Keller was no exception to the list. He was a 
most excellent man, honest, frugal and industrious, and his 
friends were numerous. He married Mary Lasher, of that vicin- 
ity, by whom were six children, all surviving except Lydia, the 
youngest daughter, recently deceased, who married Alton D. 
Root, now of Dayton, Ohio. Those remaining are Peter, re- 
siding at Afton, N. Y. ; Mary, the wife of the late Henry Mead, 
of Scranton, Pa.; Jane A., the wife of Rev. Alfred Eastman, of 
Lestershire, N. Y. ; George, now residing at Sherburne Four Cor- 
ners, known for a kindly heart, and as a goodly neighbor, and 
Margaret, the much esteemed wife of the late Arial Fowler, a 
man well known, honored and respected by all. He was an 
earnest member of the Methodist Church, one of its best class 
leaders and church workers, whose death was sincerely mourned 
by all when he passed away in the winter of 1901. One son, 
Frank W.,the idol of his parents and a boon to his companions, 
passed away in his early manhood in his nineteenth year on the 
1 5th of April, 1876, while a student at Colgate Academy, a thor- 
ough scholar and a young man bidding excellent promise for 
the future. Mr. Keller and his wife and Mr. Fowler and son 
Frank, are laid at rest in the East Burial Ground in this village. 

John M. Preston was born in the town of Preston, this 
county, on the 22d day of September, 1810, being the youngest 
of ten children. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the Home 
Guards of Chenango County, and was one of the detailed guards 
at the execution of Dennison at Norwich in the year 1833. In 
1839 he married Julia F. Latimer, of Smyrna, at her home near 
the town line between Smyrna and Plymouth, the officiating 
clergyman being Rev. D. A. Shepard, then of the Methodist 
Church of this village. After their marriage they moved to Ox- 
ford, remaining there till the year 1846, when they returned to 
Smyrna where they afterwards resided, in the same house into 
which they first moved. There were born to them three children, 
Mary H., recently deceased; Henry J., who served in Company 
F, l57th Regiment, N. Y. S. V., in the Civil war and was killed 

101 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



at the battle of Chancellorsville, in May, 1863, and J. Orville 
who still survives, occupying the same house in which he was 
born. John M, Preston became one of the early members of 
Smyrna Lodge, No. 239, I. O. G. T., organized in the fall of 
1867, and throughout its existence was one of its leading and 
most active members, and was Lodge Deputy of the county for 
many years, and intimately associated with many of the temper- 
ance reformers of his day, among them John B. Finch, G. D. 
Scrambling of the Living Issue, and many others. He was the 
first man to cast a Prohibition vote in the town of Smyrna, be- 
ing obliged to cut the ballot from a newspaper, as at that time 
there were no ballots printed for that party. His death occurred 
in 1893 at the age of 83 years, and he was buried in the tamily 
lot in the East Burial Ground; the oldest son, Henry, resting on 
the battle field at Chancellorsville. 

Another Wilber family in our town, though not related to 
the Thompson Wilber family, was that of Benjamin, who mar- 
ried Laura, a daughter of Joseph Hunt, among whose children 
were Isaac, so many years a resident of the town, whose wife 
was Eliza Stone, by whom were two children, a son and daugh- 
ter, who still reside here. ClitTord B., with his family, are at 
Upperville; and Augusta became the wife of Henry Crouch, a 
prosperous farmer of Smyrna Hill, where they now reside with 
a large and interesting family, several grown to manhood and 
womanhood. 

Still another Wilber family, was that of which Samuel was 
the head, whose son, Benjamin, was once a respected resident 
but now deceased. His daughter was the wife of the late Mar- 
sena Stebbins, and his sons were Emmons L., now a hotel man, 
a resident of Kentucky, and Charles, now a resident of Norwich. 
A daughter of Samuel, named Hannah, was born in Smyrna, 
and still resides here, living at present with Mrs. William L. 
Chapman. 

- John Sprague and Fannie West, his wife, whose grand- 
father was a native of Connecticut, came to Smyrna in the early 

102 




JOHN M. PRESTON. 



Our First Old Home Week 



forties, settling in the Northup district. They were a well-to-do, 
industrious and respectable family, who always had a high stand- 
ing in the community. Of their family were Peter, who mar- 
ried Electa, a sister of the late Benjamin Conkey, by whom were 
several children. Among them were Thomas, now of Sidney, 
N. Y., whose wife was Rachel Messenger; William, now of Ith- 
aca, whose wife was Mary Ellsworth; Cynthia, who married 
Isaac Collier, a soldier of the Rebellion, and John and Hannah 
who reside in town. Ervin H. married Martha Champlin, and 
was in later years an honored deacon of the Congregational 
Church of which his wife and family were faithful members. 
Their only son, Hiram, died in his sixteenth year; Mary, who 
married Robert Vanderhoof, and her young sister, Katherine, 
now reside in Ithaca. Two other brothers were Warren and 
Hiram, and the three other sisters were Sabra, Fanny and Mar- 
cia, the latter the only remaining member of the family is now 
over eighty years of age, beloved and respected by all who 
know her. 

George Humphrey was born at Canton, Ct., July 23, 
1782, and in 1803 married Candace Case, of Canton, a most ex- 
cellent woman, highly esteemed for her many good qualities, 
who lived but a few years after their marriage. His second wife 
was Avis L. Woodford, of Burlington, Ct., who survived her 
husband but a few years. When Mr. Humphrey was a young 
man he went on a voyage to the West Indies, where he was 
taken prisoner in the Algerian war, but liberated in a few months 
after peace was declared. He served in the War of 1812, and 
was in the New London campaign. Like other members of the 
family he was of large stature, and had good intellectual abili- 
ties, and a remarkable memory, being able to repeat any lengthy 
article in prose or poetry, after hearing it read once. He was also 
an excellent musician, composing several pieces of music. He 
died in New Hartford, Ct., where he had resided, December 6, 
1836, in his 54th year. George Humphrey, his son, came to 
Smyrna in February, 1839, on foot, and was eight days on the 
road from Canton, staying here long enough to purchase the 

103 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



present Humphrey farm and then returned to his native town 
for his family, which he moved at once to the new home with a 
team of horses, bringing his household goods. His wife was a 
sister of Rev. Sidney Mills, a former popular preacher at the 
Congregational Church in Smyrna. She died in 1839, leaving 
four small children, and in October of the same year he married 
Louise M. Webb, of Otselic, by whom six children were born, as 
follows: Estella, Theron, Henry, Edwin, Francis and Solon, 
the latter remaining on the old homestead with his son, Charles, 
who married Francis Tuttle. They have a young daughter, 
Ruth, the pride of the whole family. Mr. Humphrey, 2d, was 
said to have retained many of the father's characteristics. He 
resided at New Hartford, Ct., and also at Canton, that state, be- 
fore he moved to Smyrna. His death occurred in Smyrna, at 
the homestead, August 13, 1883, in his 79th year. 

Charles Pentecost, eldest son of Philip and Mary Pente- 
cost, was born in Westbury, Summersetshire, England, in 1794, 
and lived there until he was twenty-one, when he married Jane 
Carter, of Pennard, England, and soon after moved to Bristol, 
where they lived for fifteen years. In December, 1830, with his 
wife and seven children he sailed for America, reaching New 
York March 3l, l83l, having been three months on the ocean. 
Thence they went to Albany, where they resided one year, and 
selling his farm came to Smyrna in 1843, and purchased the 
old Sutliff farm. Here he lived till September, 1867, when he 
was called to his final reward, his wife surviving him some five 
years. Among his numerous family of sons and daughters 
were William, of Seattle, Wash. ; Edwin, of Los Angeles, Cal. ; 
John, of Norwich; Mrs. Ann Pier, of Conneaut, Ohio; Mrs. 
Matilda Turner, of Oneida; Mrs. Ellen Kenyon, the first wife of 
our respected townsman, Deloss Kenyon; Charlotte, the es- 
teemed wife of Warren Stanton, and Miss Jane Pentecost. The 
latter two are the only survivors of the family. Mr. Pentecost 
was reared a devoted Quaker and was much interested in the 
welfare of that church. 

104 



Our First Old Home Week 



Amos Stanton, born near Stonington, Ct., in 1773, mar- 
ried Sabra Palmer, of Penobscot, Me., and moved to Brook field, 
N. \,, in 1795, where they raised a family of nine children. 
They later moved to Otselic, becoming a leading family in the 
town, also devoted members of the Methodist Church of that 
place. In politics Mr. Stanton and all his sons allied themselves 
to the Whig party, the former living to see the birth of the Re- 
publican party but not to vote the ticket, the latter all becoming 
active members of the party. Of this large family two of the 
sons became residents of Smyrna, Edward A., and Gilbert C. 
Both were born in Brookfield, the tormer moving to Otselic in 
1834 and thence to Smyrna early in the forties. He settled 
near the site of the present Free Will Baptist Church, afterwards 
buying land farther east and, building the house in which Isaac 
Ballou now lives. In 1851 he moved to Union City, Pa., with 
his family, excepting the two older sons, James and Warren, the 
former marrying Abigail, the daughter of the late Hon. Demas 
Hubbard, both now deceased, the only remainmg descendant of 
the family being Frank J. Stanton, the oldest-son, well and fa- 
vorably known, most especially as "Stanley - Starr," an elocu- 
tionist of no ordinary ability, and a dramatic actor who has ad- 
vanced far beyond the most sanguine expectations of his many 
friends. Edward J. Stanton, the younger brother, was a good 
natured young man, free hearted and friendly with all, meeting a 
sad death on the Ontario & Western railroad some ten years 
ago, leaving a wife and young son to mourn his loss. Warren 
Stanton, the younger brother of James, is still a worthy resident 
of our town his home being the well known Pentecost farm 
and his wife a daughter of its former owner. Gilbert C. Stan- 
ton was born in Brookfield in 1808, and settled in Otselic in 
1834, where he raised a large family. His first wife was Susan- 
nah Dutton, of Otselic; his second, Serena Ferris, of Smyrna. 
Among the children were Francis G., who was born in Otselic 
in 1838 and married to Jerusha Hills of Smyrna. He held va- 
rious offices of trust, standing high in the community in which 
he has so long resided. A. Palmer Stanton moved to the town 

105 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



of Smyrna, but remained only a few years. Edwin F. moved 
to Smyrna in 1869, and after a few years residence here moved 
to Plymouth with his family, where he still resides. He was a 
member of Company I, ll4th Regiment, N. Y, S. V., and served 
until the close of the war. He was wounded by one of General 
Early's pickets, at the beginning of the battle of Cedar Creek. 
Charles H. Stanton, best known perhaps of all the family, was 
born at Otselic in 1837, rising rapidly after reaching his ad- 
vanced boyhood, an ambitious scholar, becoming exceedingly 
popular. In 1861 he enlisted in the 6lst Regiment, N. Y. S. V., 
but was discharged after only a year's service on account of 
poor health. In 1863 he married Lucy, a daughter of Franklin 
Glazier, of Pharsalia, moving soon after into the town of 
Smyrna, near Ireland's Mills. Here he held various offices, 
among which was Supervisor, and in 1884 moved with his fam- 
ily to Plymouth, where he has since resided. He represented 
Chenango County as Member of Assembly in the New York 
Legislature of 1892-3. 

Alfred Willcox was the son of Henry and Eunice Will- 
cox who came from Rhode Island. He had two sisters and a 
brother named Hamilton, a Baptist minister stationed at West 
Smyrna in 1842-3. He married Louisa A., a daughter of Peleg 
and Anna Brown, who came from Stonington, Ct., with a fam- 
ily of six children, all once well known here. They were as fol- 
lows: Lorenzo, Orlando, Andrew, Julia A., who married Sam- 
uel Tefft, the well known stage driver, spoken of elsewhere in 
this volume; Louisa, the wife of Mr. Willcox as before stated, 
and Adaline, who was the first wife of the late William Wilbur. 
Alfred had a family of eight children, five boys and three girls, 
among them Devolson, the oldest, who was a soldier in the War 
of the Rebellion, and in later years became the husband of Be- 
thia Willcox, whose first husband was Ensign Briggs. DeForest 
A. married Sylvia T., a daughter of James Scarritt, and a sister 
of Nelson J. Scarritt, learning the miller's trade at the Munson 
Mill, residing here for several years, removing to Sherburne, en- 
gaging for a while with the old firm of White, Gridley & Co.» 

106 



Our First Old Home Week 



of that village, and later to Earlville, purchasing the old Felt 
mill, which he remodeled into a first class and up-to-date flour- 
ing mill and where he became a prominent citizen. He was Su- 
pervisor of his town for several years and held several other im- 
portant offices. After the fire of 1887 in that village he was 
instrumental with many others in helping to remodel that vil- 
lage into its present up-to-date appearance. His health failed a 
few years later and his death occurred at Wayland, Steuben Co., 
in the winter of 1901, his wife surviving him but two years 
when she also passed away at the same place. Delano, the old- 
est, was exceedingly fond of music and began playing a small 
drum when only nine years of age. His father, an excellent 
musician, and one of the best fifers in Central New York in his 
day, noticing the musical ability of his son, helped with his fife, 
and with the help of other boys in the neighborhood, marshalled 
a boy band, five drummers and one fifer, all about the same age. 
That boy organization, with its organizer, will be pleasantly re- 
membered by citizens of forty years ago, and they were called 
far and near to furnish music on many different occasions. The 
fifer was Willie Enos, a brother of Leonard S., now of this vil- 
lage, and Franklin Bonney, now deceased, was also a member 
of the band. In the summer of 1861, the dread disease diphthe- 
ria, entered that neighborhood and two of the little band were 
taken away the same day, Willie Enos, the fifer, and Delano 
Willcox, the little drummer. At the funerals the bearers were 
the living members of the band, dressed in their white and red 
uniforms, and it was a sad and not easily forgotten day when 
their little forms where borne away to be seen no more. Three 
of those boys are still living and members of the Coy martial 
band, Franklin D. and George F. Coy, and Solon Humphrey. 

Alfred Eastman, who in later years attained prominence 
in our community as a most excellent citizen and a leader and 
influential member of the Methodist Church, was born near 
Qinton, Oneida County, July 3, 1832, his father's name being 
Amasa, his mother's Catherine. Of the family were seven boys 

107 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



and one girl, the last two being twins, of whom Alfred was one. 
Both are still living, the only remaining members af the family. 
At three years of age his parents moved to Morrisville, Madi- 
son County, and shortly before his seventeenth birthday he came 
to Smyrna, and began to learn the tailor's trade of William Kel- 
logg, with whom he remained four years and then formed a 
partnership with the late James O. Ransom and entered the 
clothing business. The same year he married Jane A., a daugh- 
ter of Henry Keller, who came here from Montgomery County. 
In 1853 he moved to Augusta, where he conducted a temper- 
ance hotel for eight months, and then moved to West Eaton 
where he again engaged in the clothing business. It is stated 
that during his residence at Augusta the proprietor of the hotel 
offered to stock the same with a full supply of liquors and give 
him one-half the proceeds, but Mr. Eastman's reply was "No, 
sir, 1 will not sell liquor if you will give me the hotel and your 
farm besides," an answer characteristic of ihe man through his 
whole life. In 1857 he returned to Smyrna moving into the 
Congregational parsonage and opened a tailor shop over the Kin- 
yon store, the next spring moving into the house so long known 
as the Eastman home, where they remained over thirty years. 
In 1851 during a revival of religion conducted by Rev. Ephraim 
Brown there were two converts of which Mr. Eastman was one, 
and the same year he united with the Methodist Church and has 
ever since been a most faithful member, serving as class leader 
for over thirty-one years and superintendent of the Sunday 
School for eighteen years. He was greatly missed when he took 
up a new field of labor as a preacher in the spring of 1887. In 
that year he preached in the Free Will Baptist Church at West 
Smyrna, and the year following supplied that church and also 
the church at Otselic Center. Since then he has supplied the 
following Methodist churches: Oakland, Pa., l889-'93; Haw- 
leyton, N. Y., '95-'97; Uniondale, Pa., '98-'01; South Canaan, 
Pa., '02-'04. He retired from the work at the close of the pres- 
ent conference year on account of age and failing health, and is 
living in a home of his own in the village of Lestershire. Mr. 

108 




ALFRED EASTMAN. 



Our First Old Home Week 



Eastman and his most excellent wife and family will always be 
welcome among the people of Smyrna, with whom they have 
spent the most of their lives and where their influence has al- 
ways been on the side of right and humanity. Two children 
were born to them; Nettie A. who became the wife of Rev, Fred 
P. Taylor, and Clarence, an infant son, who died at the age of 
one year, and is buried in the East Burial Ground, his grave a 
tender spot, where the affections of the family will never cease 
to be drawn. Lottie Warner Eastman, an adopted daughter of 
thirty years ago, whose mother was Miss Lottie Wilbur once 
a resident here, makes her home with the family and has become 
hke one of them. 

Joshua Hemenway was born in New Salem, Mass., Octo- 
ber 17, 1780, and was married to Rebecca Harrington in 1802, 
coming to Sherburne the same year. They had six children, 
among them Delia H., who married John Kershaw, of Sherburne. 
Amanda and Alexis L., with the parents moved to the northwest- 
ern part of Smyrna about the year 1840. Alexis taught the dis- 
trict schools for several years, both before and after his marriage 
to Harriet Smith in 1842. In 1847 he bought the farm owned 
by a Mr. Wood, which was ever after their home and where 
they always resided till their death, the former passing away 
January 22, 1895, the latter on April 22, 1896. They were 
honored and respected in the town where they were well and fa- 
vorably known and had many friends among every class. Both 
were consistent and worthy members of the Free Baptist Church 
of West Smyrna. To them were born six children, all sharing 
in the respect and good will of their parents, and they were as 
follows: Lucinda, now deceased, who married Richard A. Har- 
rington; Arzelia, the respected wife of A. L. York of Brookfield, 
N. Y.; Esther, the wife of the late Bertillian Healy of Sherburne; 
John A., who lived with his parents upon the farm and was an 
honest and industrious young farmer, whose death occurred in 
the prime of his manhood at the age of thirty-one years; and 
Mary who became the esteemed wife of John D. Frair, present 

109 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



postmaster of Bonney at West Smyrna, their home being the 
old Hemenway homestead, where Mr. and Wrs. Frair moved to 
care for her aged parents in their declining years. 

Rowland B. Crumb was born in Rhode Island, near Ston- 
ington, and like many others in that vicinity as he advanced in 
years, became desirous of improving his surroundings and better- 
ing himself in this world's affairs, and not having room in that 
section, which was not the best for farming, and having heard 
of the increased facilities offered in the state of New York, then 
a great wilderness and considered a western country, moved out 
to the new country, coming first to Preston, Chenango County, 
later moving to Pharsalia, and on March 1, 1844, reaching 
Smyrna Hill and locating on the Bliven farm. He remained 
there four years and then moved to the Conkey farm where he 
resided nineteen years, then moving to Lebanon, where he spent 
nearly all the remainder of his life. He became the head of a 
large and successful family, a frugal and industrious people, and 
his descendants are some of our best citizens. He was married 
three times, his first wife was Sally Lanphere, by whom five 
children were born. Harriet, who married Garritt Brown of 
Pharsalia; William, who became a member of the 10th New 
York Cavalry in the War of the Rebellion, and later moved to 
LeSeur, Minn.; Sally, who married Captain William C. Bliven, 
so long and so well known in Smyrna, later the proprietor of 
the Noyes House, now the American Hotel at Norwich, still 
later marrying Orange Booth of Candor, N. Y., where her death 
occurred; Lucretia, who moved to Osage, Iowa, and Rhoda, 
who married Charles Wood of Pony, Neb., a former respected 
resident of our town having been brought up on Smyrna Hill. 
(Mr. Wood's former name was Higgins, but when he became of 
age he adopted the name of Wood.) 

Mr. Crumb's second wife was Alzina, a daughter of Deacon 
Elisha Crandall, who had previously married Justin Skinner, by 
whom three cliildren were born to her: Charles, who was 
killed in the battle of Fredericksburg; Hiram, whose whereabouts 

110 



Our First Old Home Week 



have not recently been known, and Sarah, now the esteemed 
wife of J. Warren Hitchcock, still residing in the town. They 
have four sons and two daughters. Among them Frank J., now 
a successful physician at Masonville, Delaware County, and 
Bert and Edwin now prosperous pharmacists in Jersey City, N. 
J. Mr. Crumb's children by this marriage were George W., 
who married Maria Haskell, by which union there were three sons 
and three daughters all now living except Hattie, who was an 
invalid for eleven years, most kindly cared for by her parents, 
passing away in her twenty-fifth year. The three sons are pros- 
perous farmers, Arthur J., owning the HartwcU farm west of 
Upperville; Clayton R., whose home is now the old Barber farm 
at Upperville, and Charles, who has charge of the old Parker 
farm just beyond the old homestead. Alzina became the wife 
of Clayton S. Widger, our present Highway Commissioner, and 
Ida C. became the wife of Algernon B., a son of the late Lysan- 
der B. Cleveland, their home being the old Bennett-Cleveland 
homestead. George has held various offices to the satisfaction 
of his townsmen and is a leading member of Stephen Weaver 
Post, G. A. R., having served faithfully in the War of the Rebel- 
lion as a member of Company C, in the ll4th Regiment. His 
sister, Jennie Crumb, married Hiram H. Tucker, late of Sher- 
burne, N. Y., where she now resides. Rollin B. Crumb's third 
wife was Mary A. Kenyon, by whom eight children were born, 
among them Dora, who married William R. Borden; Ida, who 
became the wife of C. J. Etson of Lebanon; Fernando, a physi- 
cian, also of Lebanon; Charles, a resident of South Dakota, and 
Simeon, well and most favorably known, whose home is at 
Norwich, but who has a prosperous wholesale coal business in 
Boston. 

Michael Stack, a son of Edmund and Nellie Stack, (whose 
maiden name was Downs,) was born in September, 1816, near 
Mai Bay, Clare County, Ireland, and came to America in the latter 
part of the forties, locating at Sherburne, and a few months later 
moving to Smyrna. He married Mary White of Sherburne, in 

iti 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



1850, a lady who came from the same place in Ireland as Mr. 
Stack, though they had never met till she came to Sherburne a 
year or two previous. Mr. Stack became a prosperous farmer, 
and an excellent citizen, his wife being very highly esteemed by 
all who made her acquaintance. There were born to them three 
children, as follows: Ella, now the wife of Timothy J. Sulli- 
van, who with their young son, Harry, reside at the Stack home- 
stead, occupied by the family some forty years or more; Edmund 
J., who was born on Sherburne West Hill some fifty years ago, and 
married Ella A. Noonan of Schenevus, N. Y., by whom was 
born one son, M. Leo, a graduate last year of the Clarkson Me- 
morial Polytechnic Institute at Potsdam, N, Y. After the de- 
cease of his first wife, Mr. Stack married Miss Marcia Lamb, and 
they still reside at South Otselic. Mr. Stack owned and con- 
ducted the Gothic House many years, making it one of the best 
hostelries in the county, but a few years since sold the same, and 
now carries on a successful wagon and harness business in that 
village. As an evidence of his prosperity, we are pleased to note 
the fact that he was chosen a Director of the Otselic Valley 
National Bank, which has recently been organized in that wide- 
awake hamlet. 

John B. Stack spent his boyhood days in Smyrna, attend- 
ing the village school where he proved himself an earnest stu- 
dent and excellent scholar. He entered the State Normal School 
at Brockport in 1876, where he graduated with honor in June, 
1880. A few years after his graduation he was a very success- 
ful teacher at the High School at Macedon, N. Y., and in 1887 
married Ella F. Hickey of that village, and they now have three 
children, Vincent, Clara and Fred. Mr. Stack and family are 
now residents of Washington, D. C, where he holds a lucrative 
government position. Marguerite, the youngest of the family, 
was also an excellent scholar attending our village school and 
later graduating at the State Normal School at Oneonta. She 
is now a successful teacher in one of the public schools of Greater 
New York. 

112 



Our First Old Home Week 



James and Thomas Stack, cousins of Michael Stack, natives 
of Clare County, Ireland, were once residents of Smyrna, com- 
ing from Sherburne in the fifties, the former and his family 
locating in a small house on a portion of the site of the Dr. 
Lawrence place, and later moving to the present Sprague place. 
James was a blacksmith by trade, a good workman, and occu- 
pied several years the building now used by Leonard Towner. 
He married Bridget O'Rourke and there was a large family of 
children, nearly all by perseverance and persistent effort becom- 
ing exceedingly prosperous, far be3'ond the average self-made 
family. The family moved to Sherburne in the seventies, but 
have always held the highest regard for their old Smyrna neigh- 
bors. James and his brother, and excellent wife are now de- 
ceased, as well as his eldest son, James E. Stack, who died at 
Oneonta some ten years ago, leaving a widow and four chil- 
dren. Among the rest were Bartholomew A., now a respected 
clergyman of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Camillus, where 
he has been stationed a number of years and has many warm 
friends; Thomas, a successful manager of a milk shipping sta- 
tion at Chenango Forks; Edward, of Brooklyn, foreman of the 
Lupton Publishing Company; George E., born here and named 
after the late Dr. George E. Lawrence, at one time Assistant 
Train Dispatcher of the D., L. & W. R. R. atUtica, and now 
Treasurer of the Utica Gas and Electric Company of that city; 
John, now holding an excellent position on the Louisville (Ky.,) 
Courier Journal; Mary, who married John Macksey of Sher- 
burne, and to whom we are indebted for the facts in connection 
with this sketch; Lizzie, who married Wilmer J. Colbourne, now 
of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, N. Y., and her sister Ella, residing 
with her; Catherine married Dr. W. F. Gregg, of Camillus, N. 
Y., where they now reside, and Lucy, is now a successful teacher 
in one of the High Schools at New York City. 

Appleby King was born in Rhode Island about one hundred 
years ago, and when a young man came to Norwich, where he 
married Clarissa Franklin. From Norwich he moved to Pres- 
ton, and in the spring of 1849 moved to the farm on Smyrna 

113 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Hill, ever since known as the King homestead. Almcn and Hiram, 
the two older sons, lived nearly all their lives in this town, ana 
James the only remaining son still resides here. Almon held 
several offices in the town and was a prominent member of the 
Baptist Church. Elvira King married Benjamin Conkey, and 
for many years they were residents of our village, winning the 
esteem and respect of all with whom they became acquainted. 
Calvin was perhaps best and most widely known, becoming a 
successful teacher and later a School Commissioner of the 
County. He was also at one time a general agent for school 
books for a New York City firm, and was interested in various 
ways in many other business enterprises, accumulating at one 
time a considerable fortune. He was very much interested in 
church and temperance work, a fluent speaker, and very popular 
wherever known. His death as well as that of his excellent wife 
occurred but a few months since at their home at Otselic. 

James Chapman and wife came from Providence, R. I., to 
Troy, N. Y., where they lived until 1808, when with a family of 
four children, of whom Simon S. was the youngest, they moved 
to Plymouth, N. Y. On the second day out from Troy, a foot- 
stove containing live coals set the straw on fire, and the whole 
outfit was in danger of being burned when James discovered 
the situation and threw the stove out leaving it to its fate. Hav- 
ing two brothers at Paris, Oneida County, he called on them, 
but was not satisfied to remain there and kept on till he reached 
Chenango County. His first home here was a log house near 
the Smyrna line, since known as the Wilson Young farm, but 
he afterwards bought forty acres in the town of Smyrna and 
built a log house on the direct road from Plymouth to Smyrna. 
He was a potter by trade and to help in paying for the farm 
went to Rome to work in a pottery; leaving home at an early 
hour on Monday morning accompanied by his son, both on 
horseback, until they reached Hamilton, when the boy would 
return home with the horses, and the father finished the journey 
on foot. James Chapman was a member of the Friends Society 
and helped in building the first meeting house, and with his wife 

114 



Our First Old Home IVeek 



and one daughter are buried in the Friends' Burial Ground. 
Simon S. Chapman was born in Troy, N. Y., in the year 1806, 
and was one of a family of fourteen children, coming to Ply- 
mouth when but two years of age, where he lived until 1853, 
and then moved to Smyrna. In 183 1 he married Adeline Mes- 
senger, and to them were born nine children. In his youthful 
days he was Captain of the Militia, and for years the title fol- 
lowed him. In 1851 he was chosen Supervisor of the town of 
Plymouth, an office which he did not ask, his children realizing the 
event with some pardonable pride when he was called from his 
slumbers with the announcement of his election. In 1853 he 
bought the Tracy farm now owned by Frank Hills, occupying 
the same until his death which occurred in 1888, in his 82d year, 
survived by his estimable wife who passed away in 1901, in her 
92d year. The descendants of the Chapman family well repre- 
sent their honorable ancestry and have always been and still are 
among our best and most worthy citizens. 

Cyrus D. Abbott was born in Sherburne, August 17, 1829, 
the son of Daniel and Chloe Wescott Abbott, the former a na- 
tive of Sherburne. To this couple were born eight children, four 
sons and four daughters. Their home was on a farm north of 
Sherburne village, where they resided until the death of the 
father, leaving the eight children to the care of the mother. 
Cyrus pursued his studies in the district schools of Sherburne, 
finally learning the cobblers trade, becoming in time one of the 
best boot and shoe makers in any of the towns of Central New 
York. When he grew to manhood he moved to Smyrna village 
and opened a shop for himself, in which he was very successful. 
In 1846 he married Louise Deutelleur, of Sherburne, a lady of 
French descent and said to be of most excellent ancestry. To 
them were born five children: The oldest was Esther E., who 
became the wife of Francis E. DeMarse, deceased, and is a resi- 
dent of Sherburne; John C. married Clara, a daughter of Charles 
O. Tuttle, now of Earlville, by whom are three children; Louise 
and William J., both graduates of our High School, and the lat- 

115 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



ter now a student at the Troy Polytechnic Institute, and Ernest 
C, the youngest; Rose M. is the wife of our friend and life-long 
resident, J. Orville Preston, their only child, M. Jay, being con- 
nected with the general store of Willcox & Preston in this vil- 
lage; Fred G. married Edna Champlin, of Sherburne, and they 
now reside in the city of Elmira. Cyrus D. Abbott died on the 
26th day of August, 1871, in his forty-sixth year, and his wife's 
death occurred on the 25th of June, 1875, and both rest in the 
West Burial Ground in this village. 

JUDAH H. Cook came from Brattleboro, Vt., when a young 
man settling in Plymouth, this county. In 1834 he married 
Sarah Denney a native of North East, Dutchess County, and 
later moved to Norwich. Mr. Cook was a Jacksonian Demo- 
crat, always true to his party, an old-fashioned man retaining 
the customs of the older class of people, and though perhaps 
somewhat eccentric, was an excellent conversationalist and a 
great reader enjoying in general the confidence of his townsmen. 
Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church, and 
faithful to their trust. Mrs. Cook was a most estimable woman, 
her Christianity and her life, like the flowers she so much loved, 
shed a fragrance wherever she went and homes of sickness and 
sorrow were made happy because of her cheering presence. 

They moved to Upperville in the fall of 1856, where they 
made their home for many years, no vestige of the same now 
remaining as the house was burned in April, 1895. Their chil- 
dren were Sarah, who died at an early age; Cephas B., born at 
Oxford, who came to Smyrna with his parents, educated in the 
old Norwich Academy, afterwards teaching several terms of 
school in Smyrna and Sherburne, and in 1862 moving east and 
teaching several years at Lakeville, Conn. Mr. Cook was also 
a Democrat, always taking an active part in politics. His death 
occurred at Lakeville, Conn., March 20, 1877, and at the time 
of his death he was a member of the Connecticut Legislature, a 
School Examiner and a Justice of the Peace. His age was forty- 
seven. Maria C. was educated in Smyrna and Norwich, teach- 

116 



Our First Old Home Week 



ing some thirty or more terms in and around Smyrna with much 
success, winning the respect of all her pupils which has ever fol- 
lowed her. She is now the esteemed wife of Smith C Faulk- 
ner, of Norwich, and they have one son, Clarence, a recent grad- 
uate of the Norwich High School. (Mr. Faulkner's oldest son, 
Jesse, born in Smyrna, by his first wife now deceased, also re- 
sides with them at Norwich.) AH will hope that many years of 
comfort and enjoyment may be hers. 

George Towner, whose first wife was Sarah Beale, now 
deceased, came from Sussex County, England, in 1858, and was 
an expert blacksmith, doing many kinds of work which a ma- 
jority of those who follow in his line of business are unable to 
accomplish. Mr. Towner's second wife, now deceased, was Eliza- 
beth Burton, and there were five children, once well known here. 
Byron, now deceased; Rosa, the wife of Ira Snow of Waltham, 
Mass. ; Flora, who married Deloss Seymour of Westmoreland, 
N. Y. ; Ida, the wife of Charles Baxter of Greene, and Charles, 
now a resident of the state of Michigan. Mr. Towner's death oc- 
curred in this village in April, 1867, Leonard, his first son, has 
since i860 been a resident of the town, excepting perhaps one or 
two years. He is well known and highly respected by all who 
know him, and has followed his father's occupation, a faithful 
industrious laborer at the same. He married Mary Crandall, of 
Sherburne, and there are living five children; Arthur, the oldest, 
whose wife was Millie Sabin, now of Syracuse; George B., of 
Norwich, whose wife was Harriet, the oldest daughter of Arthur 
L. Harris; Sarah E., who resides at home, and Walter B. and 
Philip A., who have railroad positions at Sidney, N. Y. 

Nelson Cole for over forty years a respected resident of 
Smyrna, where he has been a prosperous farmer and worthy 
citizen, was born in Otselic, February 11, 18 19, and was one of 
four children. He married Emeline, a sister of Robert Gibson, 
of Beaver Meadow, and by her were two children. DeEtta, who 
passed away some thirty years ago, and Dewitt, who lives at 
home. The mother is now deceased and Mr. Cole has become 

117 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



a feeble old gentleman. His father was Ziba Cole, born at Prov- 
idence, R. 1., October 8, 1778; his mother Laura Colt, born at 
the same place January 16, 1793, a sister of the man who in- 
vented the Colt revolver. 

Brigham \0UNG — Our most famous citizen was no less a 
personage than Brigham Young, who in later years became the 
noted Mormon leader. His home here is said to have been near 
the junction of the Plymouth road and that leading to German 
Hollow. As a young man he frequently worked for the sur- 
rounding neighbors, and was not long since remembered by sev- 
eral old-time residents, and by those who were once attendants 
at the old Stover "Meeting House" which he usually attended. 

Very many, though never famous, were worthy of mention, 
an honorable list of men and women of whom much could be 
written equally worthy of notice with those whose names appear 
in this volume, but no doubt nearly all have passed from these 
transitory scenes and are now on the side of the Great Majority. 

That many names are omitted from the foregoing list we are 
fully aware, but our readers should bear in mind that it is one 
hundred and thirteen years since the first settlers came into the 
town, and that there is scarcely left an inhabitant who can re- 
member back even seventy-five years, and thus it is not surpris- 
ing that many of our older and most worthy families are not 
mentioned, a matter of very much regret to the writer. 

Concerning our pioneers, one and all, from reports passed 
down to the present, we are led to believe they were "good men 
and true," and it may rightly be said that the present genera- 
tion may well have a deserving pride in their honorable ancestry. 

"What cares he for the monarch's jeweled crown, 
For prince or plutocrat, for fame's renown, 
The turmoil and the strife of endless greed, 
When honest toll supplies each simple need, 
He seeks not glory, yet the future years, 
Weave all their laurels for the pioneers." 
Its 



Our First Old Home Week 



WILD ANIMALS. 

Wild animals were numerous in our town as well as in all 
the surrounding countrv, and bear, deer, wolves and other ani- 
mals were frequently seen, and panthers occasionally. Elizabeth 
Tobey, wife of Joseph Tobey, has told of seeing a wolf near-by 
where she was washing clothes in the brook south of the old 
Tobey home, but upon hearing a loud cry the animal disap- 
peared as suddenly as it made its appearance. Wolf gorge was 
said to have been at that time a great resort for these animals, 
hence its name. Bears were very numerous and often attacked 
young cattle, sheep and swine, and at the Tobey farm was kept 
for many years a large bear trap made by Mr. Tobey, which 
helped to rid the vicinity of many of these animals, and when 
the country was cleared the trap was sent to the western part of 
the state and in that section helped the settlers rid themselves of 
the annoying animals. The road to the present settlement of 
Upperville was for many years known as the "dangerous gulf,'' 
on account of wild animals. 

Aunt Laura Wilbur, mother of the late Isaac Wilbur, and 
grandmother of Clifford B. who still resides here, has told the 
writer of once meeting a bear while in the woods adjoining her 
home, but looking the animal steadily in the eye he finally 
sneakfd away without harming her. 

Our esteemed and venerable friend, Gilbert Tuttle, furnishes 
the following among other reminiscences: "In the fall of 1839, 
my father, Daniel Tuttle, and family, ten in all at that time, 
moved on to a place of about forty acres located about one-half 
mile south of the George Bartlett place, having purchased it as I 
recollect from the state. There were no buildings, and father 
and we boys. Nelson, Israel and myself, helped in rolling up logs 
for our winter residence. We lost one of our oxen, which left 
us with only one, which we worked for a time alone with a 
crooked yoke, but after a while yoked the ox with the cow, and 
in this way completed our buildings. The winter provisions 

tl9 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



were obtained largely by the burning of coal pits, (the coal sell- 
ing for five cents per bushel,) and the sale of ashes. The lone 
ox played an important part, harnessed or hitched to a cart or 
sled as the season demanded, the sled made of two poles which 
served both for runiers and shafts, the ox traveling in the mid- 
dle of the road. In this way we always went to the old Mun- 
son mill for our meal, and I have no recollections of partaking 
of wheat bread up to this time. There were only little patches 
of cleared land in all that section, but on father's farm the Bea- 
vers had made a little cleared ground down by the creek. Dur- 
ing the winter we boys were compelled to remain within doors 
quite largely, as our people were unable to provide us boots or 
shoes, and at this time there were no cook stoves in all that re- 
gion of country. In the following spring we had an experience 
with a panther which caused much uneasiness among us for 
many years. We had heard peculiar noises several times dur- 
ing the spring, over in the woods similar to the crying of a child, 
but had never been able to discover the source of these noises. 
One morning Enos was sent down to see if the coal pits were 
properly burning and hearing a rattling noise in the brush 
stopped to see what the disturbance might be, when he discov- 
ered a large animal on a good sized pole with its claws reaching 
almost around it. The panther, as it proved to be, started in 
pursuit, which sufficiently satisfied my brother's cusiosity and 
he ran towards home for dear life. We saw him running with 
the panther behind. The animal was proving too fleet for the 
boy and fast lessening the distance between the two. The dis- 
tance was not far from the house and the boy began yelling at 
the top of his voice, and the animal gave up the chase as they 
neared the house. The news was spread through the neighbor- 
hood and hunting parties were organized and the panther shot a 
few miles west of the place. He was a monster and measured 
seven feet from tip to tip. It was certainly the last panther ever 
shot in the township, and we believe there is no record of any 
other being shot here since the organization of the town." 

120 



Our First Old Home Week 



The father of the writer has told him that he has frequently 
seen deer coming over the hill north of the Munson place to 
water in the little stream a short distance above the lot so long 
used as a garden, and a large hedge hog was shot by the late 
Stephen V. Reynolds on his farm in the summer of 1874, and 
in later days quite recently one was shot on the farm of Hervey 
Sexton, probably the last of its race in the town. 



TRACY'S BEAR STORY. 

Our old-time resident and home week visitor, James R. 
Tracy, gives us the following, which cannot fail to interest our 
readers, known as Tracy's Bear Story, the scene of the fight be- 
ing the present Stover farm. 

"Upon a midsummer Sunday about the year 1800, Uncle 
Orrin Van Vleet, a lame man living on the west end of the Sto- 
ver farm, came to father's door much excited, and told father 
he had seen a bear enter a hollow tree on the hill over south of 
the Stover place. My father was a strict Methodist, and it was 
Sunday, but it would never do to let such a vicious animal es- 
cape. So taking his gun and telling his hired man to bring an 
axe, and calling his two dogs they followed Uncle Orrin towards 
the bear tree. On their way Uncle Stover armed with a pitch- 
fork, and followed by his hired man with an axe and the two 
Stover dogs, joined them. The tree was on the side hill on 
what was afterwards the Thompson Wilber farm, and one-half 
mile east of Dark Hollow. From signs around the tree the con- 
clusion was reached that it was a veritable bear's den and that 
cubs were also within it. It was soon agreed that the cubs 
should be captured alive if possible, but the bear must be killed. 
The question was to get at the bear, as the entrance to the den 
was some sixty feet straight up the tree which had a single stump 
of a limb some six feet below. The mode of attack agreed upon 
was this, a beech tree with a thick top standing near the elm was 
felled against it, and this made a ladder reaching to within about 
twenty feet of the entrance. Father's plan was to reach the 

121 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



bear's entrance and by throwing things therein to anger her so 
that she would come out. He threw off his coat and hat and as- 
cended the branch, an easy task, to the elm. He then had about 
a dozen feet to climb bear fashion, by clinging to the bark to 
reach the limb stump under the entrance. By standing upon 
the limb he could just reach the hole over his head. He took a 
number of pieces of bark and poked them into the hole and let 
them fall, and it was not long before Mrs. Bruin came to the 
door to see what was the matter. Observing who her caller or 
intruder was she gave an ugly growl and proceeded at once to 
drive him away. He, aware of her intent, began sliding down 
the tree and she after him. He soon reached the beech tree 
and through its branches he could go much faster than she 
could, and not being able to go down head downwards and also 
unable to see behind her, the constant climbing of limbs retarded 
and finally disgusted her, so that she gave up the chase, and 
very composedly sat down on the limb under her doorway and 
took a survey of the surroundings. It may be easily imagined 
that the prospect was not very much to her liking. Five men 
and an equal number of dogs at the foot of her castle, and her 
cubs inside was not very pleasant to contemplate. Meantime 
father had his rifle and prepared to make the shot which would, 
as he confidently expected, practically end the contest. With 
thoughts of bear's meat and a feast for all his neighbors, he fired, 
and the bear, why, she just snapped her teeth and that was all. 
He then gave her a shot from the other side but with the same 
result. He planted a third shot upon her shoulder which angered 
her, and with a fierce growl she wheeled about and re-entered 
her castle. It was not long before she had the clubs raining 
down upon her. There was a noise inside, and father was de- 
termined to see what it was, so grasping the opening with both 
hands he drew himself up and peered in. Just then Mrs. Bruin 
poked her nose into the same hole from the inside, and thei^ 
noses were not a foot apart, when with a defiant snarl she blew a 
whole mouth full of froth into his face and made a grab for him. 
Father knew she would be after him and retreated with all pos- 

122 



Our First Old Home Week 



sible haste. Bruin, coming suddenly out of her retreat, was 
obliged to turn completely around before she could begin the 
chase, giving father a few hitches the start, and it was hitch 
Tracy and hitch bear, and it was difficult to see which could 
hitch the fastest. But Mrs. B. had a plan of her own. She had 
counted them from her perch upon the limb that there were al- 
ready four men and five dogs on the ground for her to contend 
with in her retreat to the fastnesses of Dark Hollow, and she 
had no notion of having the fifth man, and he most aggressive 
of all, added to the number of her assailants at the beginning of 
the fight, So, when about twenty feet from the ground she shot 
herself clear of the tree, passed over his head and reached the 
ground before him. Of course the dogs charged immediately, 
the four curs upon the flanks and rear. But father's big mastiff 
disdained such a mode of fighting, and would meet her face to 
face. He didn't know that the bear was a past master at box- 
ing, but soon he found it out, for once within reach she dealt 
him a terrific blow with her huge paw upon the side of his head 
which sent him end over end howling at the top of his voice. 
Jumping up he made a bee line for home, wanting no more bear 
hunt for him. Meantime the bear was making her best possible 
time in her flight, with father and the crowd in hot pursuit. But 
the ceaseless nipping of the dogs at her heels soon angered her 
and turning she charged back upon them, they in turn running 
to father for protection, some passing on one side and some on 
the other, so that the bear was brought straight to his feet. He 
now thought to end the contest at a single blow with a club, as 
her head was quite within reach, and there seemed no possible 
chance for failure, but he soon found that Mrs. B. was as good 
at fencing as she had been at boxing, for though his cudgel fell 
like lightning, her head, as if by magic disappeared between her 
forelegs, and the cudgel struck the ground and she was in full 
retreat again. The dogs, ever alert and only fearing when her 
head was turned towards them, at once closed in and before 
many rods had been passed again engaged her into another coun- 
ter charge. Father thought to dispatch her this time sure, and 

123 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



again his cudgel fell, but it struck the ground and the animal 
still in retreat. When the dogs brought her back the third time, 
father who was beginning to fear ignominious defeat, sprang 
quickly beside her and his club fell upon her back and broke it. 
The two hired men who, armed with axes, had hung upon father's 
heels all through the exciting contest soon dispatched her, and 
Uncle Stover, older and more portly than the others who had 
followed, ready to give assistance if required, offered his hearty 
congratulations at the lucky ending of the contest. The tree was 
then felled, one of the cubs being killed in its falling. The other 
v^as captured alive but was too old to be safe where small chil- 
dren were about, so he was also dispatched." 



ROADS AND RAILROADS. 

The Albany and Ithaca Turnpike was built in the summer 
of 1805, and considered a boon to the settlers, as it assisted ma- 
terially in clearing up the section through which it was laid, 
mostly an unbroken forest, where in many places only blazed 
trees had marked a path to the newly made settlements. From 
the east it passes through Smyrna in a northwesterly direction, 
and it is stated that the one hundredth mile west of Albany was 
staked at the point where the roads converge from Earlville and 
Sherburne, one mile east of the village, and the one hundred and 
first mile, in the road directly in front of the office of George P. 
Pudney. 

The opening of this thoroughfare was the most important 
enterprise that occupied the attention of the people of this part of 
the state, until some thirty years later the subject of a canal to 
connect the valley with the Erie canal at Utica, became a popu- 
lar theme that finally culminated in the construction of the Che- 
nango canal from Utica to the city of Binghamton, on which 
work was begun in July, 1834, and completed in the month of 
October, 1836, at a cost of 154,542,107. The new enterprise 
was hailed with joy by all the people, and its beginning and 
completion were duly celebrated through all the section to which 

124 



Our First Old Home Week 



it extended. It was a matter of much convenience and a great 
assistance to the people along its line, and fully satisfied them 
for many years, doing a thriving business, carrying large quanti- 
ties of grain, flour and other commodities from the cities to the 
towns, and returning the products of the farms to the cities. 

In spite of its prosperity, the people arose to the fact along 
in the latter fifties that it was becoming inadequate to meet the 
requirements of the growing interests of the valley, and from 
this time on the subject of a railroad was the chief discussion 
among the people, resulting in the year of 1865 in the organiza- 
tion of the Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley Railroad 
Company, its object being the building of a railroad from Utica 
to Binghamton, some ninety miles to the southward, reaching 
Waterville, Norwich and Oxford and the other intermediate 
villages. 

A year or two later the road was constructed, first to Sher- 
burne, then to Norwich and later to Binghamton, its southern 
extremity. At the former place the opening of the same was 
observed with much enthusiasm, and a grand celebration held 
in its honor, one which has never been excelled or even equaled 
in our sister village, and the event will still be remembered by 
many of our older citizens. One of the chief speakers on that 
occasion was the late honored Horatio Seymour, and it was the 
last time he was ever heard in the valley. 

The building of this road closed the time honored stage 
routes from Utica southward, and opened a new era to the in- 
habitants of all this section of country, and it was not long after 
the beginning of operations on the railroad that it was discovered 
that the canal was a loser and was not paying expenses, conse- 
quently it was not to be wondered at some ten years later, that 
the State Legislature voted to abandon the canal and discard its 
use, and while in the latter days there has been some talk about 
its reconstruction, yet it is not at all likely that it will ever be 
rebuilt. , ,^ ■ : 

t2S 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Not many years after the railroad was built it was sold to 
the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, 
which still controls it, the sale having proven a most profitable 
investment for the towns as well as for the company. While 
the road was a great benefit to our own town, yet an event took 
place in the winter of 1866, which awakened a new interest in 
the minds of the people of Smyrna, who were desirous for a 
railroad through their own town. This was the organization of 
the New York and Oswego Midland Railroad Company, whose 
track was to traverse the state diagonally from Oswego on Lake 
Ontario to the great Metropolis, passing through Oswego, Madi- 
son, Chenango, Delaware, Sullivan, Orange and Rockland Coun- 
ties, a distance of some three hundred and twenty-five miles. 

Enthusiastic meetings were held in nearly all the towns in 
aid of the project. They were very largely attended and much 
interest was shown. The outcome was the bonding of nearly 
all the towns and villages along the route, our own town falling 
in line to the amount of $120,000, our people little realizing that 
it would be nearly forty years before the last dollar of the in- 
debtedness would be paid. The colossal blunder was made, 
when, instead of paying a portion of the amount of principal 
each year, the whole amount was allowed to run for twenty 
years at seven per cent interest. With no fund on hand to meet 
the principal at the close of that period, the sum was refunded at 
four and one-half per cent, with a portion of the principal sum 
to be due and payable each year, until the whole issue of the 
bonds should be cancelled, and it is a matter of much congratu- 
lation that in this year of grace, 1905, the last payment is to 
be made, ridding the taxpayers of a burden which has come 
with extreme hardness on the shoulders of very many of our 
citizens. 

While the debt has been a heavy one for many years, yet 
now, after its payment, with an excellent road, fine trains, and 
most excellent accommodations, we firmly believe but few could 
be found among all the taxpayers who would be willing to have 

126 



Our First Old Home Week 



the road removed, even if all the costs of the same could be re- 
funded. Like all new roads it had its troubles. Its worst trial 
was in the spring of 1875, when nearly the entire road was 
abandoned, excepting that portion running from Utica co Sid- 
ney, which for a few monihs was operated by the Delaware & 
Hudson Company. This arrangement was of short duration, 
for in the fall of that year the company was re-organized as the 
New York, Ontario & Western Railroad Company, and the en- 
tire road re-opened for business, the same management con- 
tinuing till the spring of 1905, when the announcement was 
made of the purchase of the road and its branches by the New 
York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company, a strong 
and wealthy organization, which augurs well for the future of 
the road. 

There are branches from Utica and Rome to Randallsville, a 
short branch from Pecksport to White's Corners, (doing away 
with the heavy grade from Randallsville to Pratt's Hollow,) and 
one from Sidney to Edmeston. Another from Cadosia to the 
coal fields of Carbondale and Scranton, and also one from 
Summitville to Kingston on the Hudson. It is a matter of much 
regret that the branch from Norwich to Freeville, which was 
opened with such fine prospects and continued for a number of 
years, was finally abandoned, and our sympathy is extended to 
our neighbors in Plymouth and Otselic, who having issued 
bonds which must be paid, are still obliged to remain without a 
railroad, though there is little doubt that in the near future those 
towns will have a railroad, though whether steam or electric, or 
from whence or to whence, still remains a problem. 

The first train on the road was run from Oneida to West 
Monroe to carry hop pickers, on the 29th of August, and was 
drawn by engine No. 4, "Delaware," (No. 3 was the "Chenango,") 
with Edwin Williams, engineer, and our old friend and vet- 
eran James T. Purdy, now of Sherburne Hill, as conductor. 
The road was opened from Oswego to Norwich in November, 
1869, and for many months the "blow" of the whistle or the 

127 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



ringing of the bell was a signal for the appearance of old and 
young on the surrounding hill tops to witness the arrival and 
departure of the trains. With the first railroad came the first 
telegraph line through the town, and the first operator Charles 
W. Head, of Earlville, now deceased, as well as the line itself 
was a source of much wonder to all the then small boy fra- 
ternity. The road was completed to New York in the summer 
of 1873, its terminal being at Weehawken, N. J. With a two 
cent rate of fare its business is constantly increasing, and its 
train service compares most favorably with any of the lateral 
roads of the state, and with the new facilities promised in the 
future, there seems to be no reason why the New York, Ontario 
& Western will not some day be one of the leading railroads of 
the Empire State. 



MILITARY RECORD. 

Hon. Isaac Foote, Moses Ballard and Timothy Leonard, 
heroes of the revolution, sleep their last sleep in our West Burial 
Ground, and Timothy Dunne, a hero of Stony Point, and Jared 
Bennett a young soldier who also faced the British soldiers in 
behalf of the cause of the American Colonies, rest in our Eastern 
Cemetery. One hundred and twelve soldiers were furnished by 
the town for the War of the Rebellion, the number mcluding 
many of our best young men, and none were braver. 

We are forcibly reminded, especially as each recurring Deco- 
ration Day moves around and their ranks are seen depleted, that 
those young men of nearly forty-five years ago, are not only 
growing old, but fast passing away. 

"Passing away, yes, passing away. 
Fewer the numbers, day by day, 
Over the river, with noiseless tread. 
One by one, go the soldier dead." 

Following is a list of those who enlisted from the town of 
Smyrna to serve in the United States army during the Civil 
War: 

128 



Our First Old Home Week 



5th New York Heavy Artillery — *Edgar L. Bennett; *Gilbert 
Wedge; *lsaac Wade; tAdelbert Rose, died on way home; *John 
McKinney; tJames Ferris, Frederik a, Iowa; William Cashdollar, 
killed at Winchester; Truman Blindberry, killed at Charleston; 
tNelson J. Scarritt, Smyrna, N. Y.; Dwight Mygatt, died in 
Salisbury prison; «lsaac Brooks, Sherburne, N. Y.; tOscar Tut- 
hill, died on way home; E W. Franklin, died in Salisbury prison; 
Henry C. Wheeler, Binghamton, N. Y.; Charles Cashdollar, resi- 
dence unknown; W. D. Pudney, sergeant, Cleveland, Ohio; 
Clark Tinker, died at Baltimore; tThomas Tracy, died on way 
home; Philander Benedict, died at Baltimore; *Owen Manwar- 
ren; Hezekiah W. Pentecost, state of Washington. 

t57th New York Infantry— *Joel L Jaynes; H. S. Mont- 
gomery, Plymouth, N. Y.; J. H. Collier, Earlville, N. Y.; Na- 
than Eldridge, Smyrna, N. Y.; M. C. Dixon, New York city; 
•Charles Hitchcock; *Thomas Russell; tJ. W. Boynton, Smyrna, 
N. Y.; Richard M. Hall, killed at Chancellorsville: E. F. Law- 
rence, Wards Island, N. Y.; «George Scarritt; Henry J. Preston, 
killed at Chancellorsville; *Timothy Taylor; J. Burdette Tay- 
lor, Otsdawa, N. Y.; *Abram Ferris; Luman Miles, Norwich, N. 
Y.; *Hiram Cleveland; *Orville Gazley; *Garner Mathewson, 
Veteran of Mexican War; George Hills, North Norwich, N. Y.; 
Elisha Bisbee, Smyrna, N. Y.; «Valentine Tefft; Delos Gazley, 
residence unknown; Horace E. Sprague, North Brookfield, N. Y. 

114th New York Infantry — *Thomas Hitchcock; Isaac Bal- 
lou, Smyrna, N. Y. ; *George Burlingham; Nathan Tefft, Norwich, 
N. Y.; Charles Tefft, St. Charles, Michigan; *Joseph Swift; 
•Ruf us Tracy; *Miles Ireland; *John Cleveland; Henry J. Crumb, 
Smyrna, N. Y.; George W. Crumb, Smyrna, N. Y.; »Henry 
Thetka; »Hiram Thetka; John VanDeusen, Beaver Meadow, N. 
Y.; Adam Rickard, Beaver Meadow, N. Y.; Stephen Weaver, 
sergeant, killed at Winchester; Isaac Weaver, Sidney, N. Y.; 
•Charles Shaver. 

6 1st New York Infantry— Capt. Charles H. Stanton, Ply> 
mouth, N. Y.; •David Campbell; •Daniel Crumb; •William 

129 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Gates; *Byron Reynolds; *Jacob Carncross; Orlando Wedge, 
residence unknown; Julius Kelsey, killed in battle; Prof, Hud- 
son A. Wood, died at Mt. Vernon, N. Y. ; Robert Record, Otselic, 
N. Y.; D. C. Clark, DeRuyter, N. Y.; Seymour Griffin, killed 
in battle. 

17th New York Infantry — Edward Tracy, Plymouth, N. Y.; 
Lorenzo Tefft, Norwich, N. Y.; *John Wedge. 

Bates' Battery of Artillery — *James E. McClellan, DeRuyter, 
N. Y.; Andrew J. Shepard, Stevenson, Wash.; *N. E. King; 
•Marvin W. Coleman. 

184th New York Infantry — Josiah Miles, Smyrna, N. Y.; 
John Miles, Truxton, N. Y.; *Caleb Ferris. 

44th New York Infantry — Duane D. Dimmick, Earlville, N. 
Y.; »John Stine; Alonzo Shepard, died in Soldiers' Home, Mis- 
souri; McKenzie Shaw, residence unknown; ♦William Beach. 

Other Regiments — *Devolson Wilcox, 35th New York In- 
fantry; Lieut. Mansfield Yates, 22d New York Cavalry, killed at 
Baltimore; * Lewis Carncross, 176th New York; *Dudley Wil- 
cox, 22d New York Cavalry; *Joseph Talbott, 8th New York 
Cavalry; *Francis Livermore, 8th New York Cavalry; *Silas H. 
Chapman, 1st New York Mounted Rifles; *William Ellsworth, 
Co. I, 2d New York H. A. 

The Number of Regiment Unknown — *Joseph Antone, scout; 
♦Thomas Antone, scout; *Alvin Hubbard; *Squares D. Tracy; 
♦Merritt Shaver; Vernon Worden; Elisha Fredenburg; Nelson 
Ireland, Austin Swift; Henry Raper; William B. Crumb; Sam- 
uel Hinkley; *Harvey Roe. 

•Dead, t Prisoner of War. 



SMYRNA VILLAGE. 

The Village of Smyrna was incorporated on the 20th day of 
April, 1829, and the first Charter Election held at the house of 
Russel Case, May 4th of the same year. A portion of the law 

130 



Our First Old Home Week 



creating the Corporation reads as follows: "The People of the 
State of New York represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact 
as follows : "The district of country within the town of Smyrna, 
in the County of Chenango, contained within the following 
bounds, that is to say: "Beginning east at the east line of the 
Union Meeting House lot; thence to Pleasant Brook; thence 
westerly as said brook turns and winds to the west line of Or- 
ville Squires' land, including the long bridge across said brook ; 
thence easterly to the place of beginning, including forty rods 
wide on the north side of the turnpike road, shall hereafter con- 
tinue to be known and distinguished by the name of the Village 
of Smyrna, and the freeholders and inhabitants residing within 
the same qualitied to vote at town meetings, may meet on the 
first Monday in May next, at the house of Russel Case in said 
village, a notice whereof shall be made in writing, signed by a 
justice of the peace or three freeholders residing in said town, 
and put up in at least three public places in said village at least 
five days before said first Monday in May next, and then and 
there proceed to elect five discreet freeholders residing in said 
village to be trustees thereof." 

Some changes have been made in boundary lines and other 
matters, and the village was re-incorporated under the general 
law in the fall of 1900. 

The first officers elected for the village (1829) were as fol- 
lows : Trustees, Russel Case, Nicholas B. Mead, George Ham- 
mond, John Strew and Harvey Talcott; assessors, Benjamin 
Hopkins, Peter Merritt and John E. Tew; treasurer, Hial Hart; 
constable and collector, Samuel C. Lawson ; pound keeper, John 
Wiley; fire wardens, Nicholas B. Mead and Peter Merritt; over- 
seer of highways, Demas Hubbard. At a subsequent meeting 
Russel Case was chosen president. 

Its present officers are as follows: President, Abel Comstock , 
trustees, William W. Lyon, Walter G. Willcox; clerk, Daniel 
G. Butts; treasurer, James T. Comstock; assessors, Leonard 
Towner, Frank Rickard, Henry P. Northup; collector, Edwin S. 

131 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Billings; highway commissioner, Dwight Reynolds. It will be 
seen that Smyrna is one of the oldest incorporated villages in 
Central New York. 



UPPERVILLE. 

Upperville was the name applied to the little settlement, three 
miles west of the village, situated on Pleasant Brook near the 
center of the town. 

In its halcyon days it boasted of an axe factory, the same 
conducted by Russel Leonard, and later by M. H. Jones, and a 
grist mill, once conducted by James Scarritt, and still later by 
Wise Soule, and closing its business career under the administra- 
tion of the late Edward S. Towsley. The settlement also had a 
good hotel, once kept by Dewitt C Briggs and later by Charles 
Matthewson and also a flax mill and other minor business con- 
cerns. Its glory has long since departed, but it remains a quiet, 
peaceable community, its moral tone somewhat improved since 
the advent of the handsome church erected there by the Friends' 
Society, a very valuable acquisition to the community, and an 
ornament to the place. It was at the school house just west of 
the settlement that the late Herbert M. Dixon conducted a Mis- 
sion Sunday School for forty-two years, and the church is no 
doubt as much the outgrowth of the little Sunday School as of 
any other effort put forth in its behalf. The place became bet- 
ter known to the outside world, when seven years ago, under 
the administration of the late President McKinley it obtained a 
post office of the fourth class, and has since had a regular mail, 
via the Otselic and Smyrna stage line, its present Post Master, 
Francis G. Stanton, who seems to give universal satisfaction. 

Some four miles from Upperville on the stage line, also on 
Pleasant Brook, among the broad and fertile fields of that por- 
tion of the town, is located another post office, Bonney, estab- 
lished the same date with Upperville, (September 12, 1898,) 
with our old friend, John D. Frair, as Post Master. It takes its 

132 



Our First Old Home Week 



name from Sherman W. Bonney, a life-long and respected citi- 
zen of that part of the town. Some of the newspaper corres- 
pondents of that locality insist in claiming as their territory all 
that portion of the town between Beaver Meadow and Tuttle 
Hill, and eastward to Smyrna Falls, but they should be careful 
not to take in the village also, and if they do not attempt to re- 
move the land no serious objections will be offered. 

"Bonney" actually refers to the little post office which bears 
its name, and in spite of all claims, our good will and friend- 
ship will always be extended to all the good people who are for- 
tunate enough to live in the vicinity of the old "New Meeting 
House." 

MINING IN SMYRNA. 

Our mining interests have never been very extensive, but yet 
they are entitled to be mentioned even if they did not make 
their projector a modern Croesus. 

Ezekiel Evans, a somewhat eccentric farmer conceived the 
idea along in the early sixties that silver was to be obtained 
among the many rocks that abound throughout the town, and 
soon after began operations for obtaining the same by the side 
of the road near the Stover farm at Dark Hollow. Here he 
dug numerous pits and was occupied in his endeavors for sev- 
eral months, but without avail, for though he found samples of 
rock that somewhat resembled the precious metel, it proved of 
no value, and the scheme was given up to the considerable loss 
of the manipulator, who found at last that like Ciold, All is not 
Silver that glistens. 

The Dark Hollow Silver Mines are still pointed out by the 
older inhabitant. 

TOWN RECORDS. 
Our town records were all destroyed by the disastrous fiie 
which visited our village June 16, 1900, hence we are minu^ 

t33 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



many matters of much interest pertaining to the growth and ad- 
vancement of the town, as well also as to affairs concerning its 
people. The first town officers were chosen at a meeting which 
was presided over by Hon. Isaac Foote, and were as follows: 
Supervisor, Joseph Simons; town clerk, Jabez Collins; asses- 
sors, Stephen Parker, Jesse Hutchinson, William Stover; com- 
missioners of Highways, William Collins, Joshua Talcott, Robert 
Emmons; collector and constable, Samuel Kelsey; overseers of 
poor, William Stover, Joseph Collins; fence viewers, Adolphus 
Hall, Seth Willis, Elias Ladd, Samuel Kelsey, Elisha Stanley; 
pound master, Gideon Rudd. Our present town officers are as 
follows: Supervisor, John W. Shepardson ; town clerk, Charles 
Doll; justices of the peace, George A. Munson, George P. Pud- 
ney, Stephen K. Willcox, J. Wellington Boynton; assessors, 
Samuel J. Hopkins, George S. Record, Clayton R. Crumb; 
overseer of poor, George F. Coy; collector, C. Wells Simons; 
constables, Austm A. Hecox, Almenzo R. Brown, Elizur Briggs, 
Fred King, and Frank C. Willcox. 

Our first postmaster was Samuel Hall, who kept the office 
in the Mansion House, of which he was proprietor, the same oc- 
cupying the site of the present Methodist Church, and Charles 
Hammond was his successor, continuing the office in that "tav- 
ern," with Hall as deputy post master. Harvey Talcott held the 
office from 1829 to 1841: Elmer Isbell from 1841 to 1849; 
Milo Sutliff from 1850-53; Beardsley Leavenworth 1853 7; Dr. 
Nicholas B. Mead 1857-61; Andrew Shepardson 1861-71; dur- 
ing which time the office was kept in the present Nearing store, 
and it was here during the civil war, that war matters were dis- 
cussed, and from the steps in front war news read to those who 
assembled each morning, and at the close of a battle in which 
Chenango boys were known to have engaged, many sad mes- 
sages were received causing deep sadness throughout the com- 
munity. Dr. George E. Lawrence succeeded Mr. Shepardson in 
1871, holding the office till the advent of the Cleveland adminis- 
tration in 1885, when it was transferred to Ery W. Stokes, who 
held the office till 1889, when William H. Comstock, a soldier 

134 




DEMAS HUEBAKD 



Our First Old Home Week 



of the War of the Rebellion, wounded severely at the battle of 
Winchester, and still carrying rebel lead, was appointed to the 
office, holding the same till Mr. Cleveland was re-elected in 1 892 
when he was succeeded by Fred. A. Sweet in the spring of 1893 
holding the same till 1897. J. Wellington Boynton, the present 
incumbent, was also a soldier of the rebellion, an inmate of the 
noted Andersonville prison, and received the appointment at the 
beginning of the McKinley administration and still holds the 
office. 

Since the organization of the town, the following have been 
chosen Supervisors: Joseph Simons, 1809; William Stover, 
1810-20; Joseph BiUings, 1821-22; Samuel Hall, 1824-5-7-8; 
Joshua Talcott, 1826; Isaac Foote, Jr., 1829-30-50; Amasa 
Foote, 1831-32; Norman Sexton, 1833-37; Steph-n Anthony, 
1838-39; Samuel Northup, 1841 ; Dudley Bennett, 1845; John 
F. Billings, 1846-7; Eber Dimmick. 1848-9; Harlow Billings, 
1851-52; Rowland B.Tetft, 1853-54; Benjamin Stover, 1855-56; 
Asa Wilber, 1857-58,1876-82; Demas Hubbard, 1859-64; An 
drew Shepardson, 1865-73-85; Piatt Wilber, 1874-75; Charles 
H. Stanton, 1883-84; George P Pudney, 1886-90; William E. 
Stover, 1891-1900. John W. Shepardson, who holds the office 
at present, was first elected in the spring of 1901, his present 
term expiring December 3l, 1906. 

Our town and community have always been noted for its 
peaceable qualities, hence we have but two lawyers to mention, 
and though but two in number, they have not been and are not 
excelled by any. 

OUR PROFESSIONAL MEN. 

Hon. Demas Hubbard, our most noted lawyer, a native of 
Herkimer County, began practicing here some seventy years 
ago, and was honored with various offices, the most important 
ijeing Member of the New York Assembly three terms, ana 
Member of Congress for one term. He was a good lawyer, anJ 
when strong arguments were lacking, usually turned the minds 

t35 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



of the judge or jury with one of his excellent stories for which 
he was noted. 

Francis E. Dimmick, son of Eber Dimmick, a member of 
the State Legislature of 1841, though not a regular lawyer, 
doubtless understood law as well, if not better, than many 
who have made law a profession. He was a justice of the 
peace in the town for more than a quarter of a century, and 
his ability was never questioned by those who came within his 
judicial limits. 

George P. Pudney, our present successful attorney, was ad- 
mitted to the bar in the winter of 1877, and located here the fol- 
lowing spring. He was a student of the late Deloss C Atkyns, 
of Sherburne, We trust he will have no occasion to leave us. 
He was District Attorney for our county two terms, is a capa- 
ble and trustworthy lawyer, and his legal opinions considered 
sound by all the legal fraternity. 

Our physicians have been some of the best and have stood 
high in their profession. Probably the first was Dr. Samuel 
Guthrie, who came here from Massachusetts in I8O2, and re- 
moved to Sherburne in 1811. Nicholas B. Mead came from 
Washington County. He very successfully practiced his profes- 
sion till his removal to Quincy, 111., in i860. Among others were 
William Page and Dr. Asa Babcock. Dr. John W. Fish located 
here in 1 840 and remained for sixteen years. Then came Dr. 
Ure, and in 1862 Dr. William H. Stuart, who remained a few 
months and located in Earlville ; in after life one of the most 
respected and successful physicians at our neighboring village of 
Norwich. 

Dr. James E. McLellan, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, 
whose recent death occurred at DeRuyter, Madison County, 
where he had a fine practice for many years, was a successful 
practitioner here for a number of years, a graduate of the Long 
Island Medical College, and one who established a most excel- 
lent reputation. He married Harriet, a daughter of the late 

136 




DP.. G. E. LAWKENCE. 



Our First Old Home Week 



Samuel Willcox, who with her daughters, Carrie and Mabel, 
still survive him. 

Dr. Thomas E. Stack, a native of Ennis, Ireland, and Dr. 
Frank J. Hitchcock, a native of our own town, a graduate of 
the Medical College at Burlington, Vt., practiced here a few years 
but have each moved to other localities. 

The best known physician was Dr. George E. Lawrence, 
who came here from Sherburne with his esteemed family in 
1854, remaining until his decease in the fall of 1887. A kind 
hearted, sympathetic man, always visiting rich and poor alike, 
and one who made very many friends. In serious cases of ill- 
ness his good wife usually accompanied him, always rendering 
most valuable assistance, and it is stated that on the happy oc- 
casions (more or less) of the Stork visits to our various homes, 
that she was also usually present to assist in the presentation. 
Very many of those present during Old Home Week would 
have been too late for the historical address as well as for the re- 
maining part of the celebration, had it not been for the faithful 
nursing and gentle dandling of Mrs. Dr. Lawrence. All of 
us will long remember Dr. Lawrence and his estimable wife, and 
when they passed away we all knew that a good man and a 
good woman had been taken from among us. Their only 
daughter, Mary, a long time resident of our town, is well known, 
loved and respected by all for many most amiable qualities, now 
the wife of our hustling citizen, Floyd W. Brooks. 

Edward F. Lawrence, the oldest son, now a resident of New 
York city, is always welcomed to Smyrna, and never fails to 
get a rejuvenation from the pure air of his native town and 
county where he is well known. A genial, social and compan- 
ionable gentleman whom all are pleased to meet, and who keeps 
up a great interest in the welfare of his home town. Frank J. 
Lawrence, born here in the early sixties, where he spent hb 
happy boyhood days, became a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 
and there spent the greater part of his life, meeting a sudden 
death but a few months since, mourned by his wife and family. 

137 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



The graves of the fond father and mother who rest in our 
western burial ground will ever attract the remnant of this once 
interesting family to our town. 

Dr. Thurston G. Packer, a native of Jefferson County, this 
State, came to our town with his family m the spring of 1881, 
and has since been located here doing a prosperous business, and 
having the confidence and esteem of his townsmen. His medi- 
cines and stories are always the most recently discovered, and 
his medicinal opinions usually found to be correct. 



MERCHANTS. 

Among our merchants may be mentioned James Elmore, 
our first, who came here in 1802. Joshua Pratt, whose son is 
now an honored and respected citizen of Sherburne, now in his 
96th year, was also a merchant here in 1825. Harvey Talcott 
built the Dixon Brothers store and did a general business there 
for many years, and after him came Webster Merrell and Giles 
Cowles, Gardner J. Kinyon, Herbert M. Dixon and later, Dixon 
Brothers. Of the merchants who occupied the Hayward stc re 
were Harvey Talcott, Parsons & Monroe, Eber Dimmick, and 
Kinyon & Isbell. The store on the old Mead place, torn down by 
Mr. G. P. Pudney, on which site now stands his law office, was 
occupied by Nathan Sutliff, and its last use was as a feed store 
kept by Ery W. Stokes in the late sixties. The old hardware 
store was occupied by Almenzo K. Dixon for some twenty-five 
years, where a most successful hardware business was conducted 
until the same was sold to Lyon & Ferris in the fall of 1890, the 
same being now conducted by Lyon & Son, in the new brick 
store nearly on the site of the old one. The old building was 
previously occupied by Eber Dimmick, James O. Ransom, B. 
Leavenworth, Nathaniel P. Wheeler and Horace T. Nearing, 
Abel Comstock came here forty-two years ago, purchasing the 
old Shepard drug store, and the business is now in the hands of 
his oldest son, James T. Comstock, whose new brick store is a 
model of neatness. The old store was formerly owned by Trow- 

13S 



Our First Old Home Week 



bridge Shepard and conducted as a drug store, who continued it 
as such until his death in the summer of 1 862, mention of which 
is made elsewhere in this volume. The present Nearing store 
was owned and occupied as a store many years by James O. 
Ransom, by whom it is said to have been built, and since he 
moved from the town has been in use by several parties, includ- 
ing Beard Leavenworth, Gazley & Lawrence, George H. Mead. 
Samuel Lee, L. Boothby, and recently by Mrs. Anna Martin. It 
is the only store building left by the fire of 1900. 

Among other stores kept here we remember a small one 
kept by Milo Benedict in the present Widger barber shop, and 
one kept by Jesse Burlingham, in the present Hay house, who 
conducted a boot and shoe store therewith. This store was the 
delight of the small boy, and it was never ascertained which was 
the drawing card in his business, the long rows of glass cans of 
tempting candy, or the numberless pairs of stogy boots always 
on exhibition. The writer well remembers his first pair of boots 
which were purchased at this store. A store was built in the 
summer of 1871, by Ery W. Stokes on the corner adjoining the 
hotel, opposite the Dixon corner, in the rear of which was placed 
a steam mill. The remainder of the building was occupied by 
his son, C. Dever Stokes, as a general store. He did a very 
successful business until his death in the fall of 1880, at New 
York city, where he had gone to purchase goods. The build- 
ing was sold in the spring of 1881 to John H. and George A. 
Munson, who transferred the mill and machinery to the Munson 
Mill, and the store was afterwards rented by William P. Briggs, 
King & Preston, M. J. Preston, and still later by Preston & 
Miner, who were in business there at the time of the fire in 1900. 



HOTELS. 

The first hotel, as has been stated, was the Mansion House, 
built on the site of the present Methodist church, and kept by 
Samuel Hall. About the year 1820 Jethro Hatch and Luther 
Bowen built the hotel on the opposite side of the road, soon 

139 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



after selling the same lo Russell Case, who continued it for sev- 
eral years and sold it to Enos Merrell. About this time also the 
old Kelsey hotel was started, merging from a grocery store. 
The building still stands and, if not an ornament to the place, it 
stands as a relic of the past. In the early fifties the Merrell 
hotel was purchased by Ery W. Stokes, a son of Captain Stokes, 
of Otselic, who conducted it for many years very successfully, 
and in 1864 or 1865 traded with Charles C. Wilber for the pres- 
ent Kenyon farm, once the property of Allen Rexford. In a 
year or two Mr. Wilber sold to William M. Dietz, and about 
1869 the property was sold to Manson K. Messenger, who owned 
it till his death in April, 1905. The old hostelry was burned in 
the fire of 1900, and a new and handsome hotel of modern de- 
sign now graces the site of the old structure, with all modern 
conveniences, and is an ornament to the village. The property 
is now owned by its recent purchasers, John W. Shepardson, 
Floyd W. Brooks and George A. Munson. 



OPERA HOUSE. 

The Munson Opera House was built in the spring of 1886, by 
John H. and George A. Munson, its builder being N. Lee Mes- 
senger, of Smyrna. The building was on Academy street, on 
lands purchased by Manson K. Messenger, and was large and 
commodious, holding easily five hundred people, the auditorium 
being on the ground floor. The upper rooms were used as 
lodge rooms for Smyrna Lodge, No. 116, I. O. O. F., and for 
small assemblies. It was supplied with a handsome stage and a 
full complement of scenery, besides a spacious balcony. It was 
dedicated November 10, 1886, by a company of Norwich sing- 
ers under the direction of the late Dr. Linn Babcock, who gave 
a most excellent concert and were greeted by a crowded house. 
The occasion will be long remembered by all who attended. The 
accompanist for the occasion was Mrs. Nettie B. Mitchell, of 
Norwich, one of the soloists Mrs. Nettie M. Crombie, also of Nor- 
wich, and Miss Annie E. Parks, of Boston, furnished a number 

t40 



Our First Old Home Week 



of excellent cornet solos, all of which were generously applaud- 
ed. Many noted lecturers and political speakers were heard 
from its platform, not excepting Belva Lockwood the women's 
candidate for President. Its entertainments and concerts and 
social parties were of a high order, seldom seen or heard in a 
village the size of Smyrna. It was very much missed by all 
when it met the fate of the rest of the business part of the vil- 
lage in the calamitous fire of 1900. 



FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The Smyrna Fire Department had its beginning during the 
year of the incorporation of the village, though but little was 
accomphshed in the line of a regular organization until Septem- 
ber 1, 1849, when a company was constituted by the village for 
the purpose of "putting out fires," as the record reads. 

Protection Fire Company was legally organized June 27, 
1855, consisting of twenty-four members, their equipment a 
Silsby hand engine, a hose cart, and five hundred feet of hose. 
The organization was continued until the building of the present 
system of Water Works, when the company was no longer 
needed. 

The Munson Hose Company was organized in June, 1887, 
consisting of twenty-five members, their equipment a fine Rum- 
sey hose cart, being presented the company by George A. Mun- 
son, Esq., who had interested himself in the project, together 
with hose and all necessary arrangements. Interest in the De- 
partment is not strong at present but the company is still kept 
up, the only such organization in the town, it will be hard to 
maintain a successful fire department, until our citizens see fit to 
build a proper fire house within the limits of the village. 



THE CONFLAGRATION OF 1900. 

The Village of Smyrna which, as has been stated, is one of 
the oldest incorporated villages in the central part of the state, 

t4t 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



protected from fires only by small reservoirs of water, and an 
old-time hand engine, had been especially fortunate in escaping 
serious conflagrations previous to the year 1900, and while pre- 
dictions were often made that a reckoning day would be sure to 
come, yet the inhabitants of the little hamlet, or at least a ma- 
jority of them, had settled down to the opinion that such predic- 
tions were idle dreams and that the village would continue to 
move along in its quiet security. 

June 16, 1900, a day of sunshine and beauty all through the 
valley and over the hills, was a day long to be remembered by 
each and every inhabitant. At precisely ten minutes before the 
hour of noon an alarm of fire rang out from the steeple of the 
Methodist Church and the trouble was soon located in a rear 
room of the Comstock drug store. Large volumes of black 
smoke were issuing out, keeping back all who attempted to en- 
ter and assist in subduing the flames. To all it was a forerun- 
ner that a dire disaster awaited the little village such as it had 
never before experienced. Protection Fire Engine was at once 
brought out, but though the time-honored machine worked no- 
bly and well, the supply of water was inadequate, and worst of 
all the flames were working in three directions. 

Assistance was at once summoned from Sherburne, Earlville 
and Norwich, and the willing responses were quick and active, 
though the departments from the first two villages were equally 
as helpless as our own, on account of the lack of water. Not 
till the Norwich fire department, which came by special train 
over the O. & W. R. R., with their tine new steamer reached 
the scene of trouble were many strong hopes raised for the safety 
of much of the village. Most surely no firemen ever worked 
more earnestly nor were any ever more welcome than the Nor- 
wich firemen on this occasion. Their steamer was taken at 
once to Pleasant Brook near the tannery bridge and very quickly 
two streams were playing upon the burning buildings and it was 
but the work of a few minutes with their powerful machine in 
the hands of its skillful manipulators to subdue the flames, 

142 



Our First Old Home Week 



though leaving a long black line of blackened and smoking ruins 
to tell the story of the day. The following buildings were 
burned, the list including every business building on the south 
side of the main street of the village : 

Comstock drug store, residence and store of Erastus C. Bil- 
lings, (occupied by Edwin S. Billings as a shoe store), Lyon & 
Ferris, hardware store, Ferris, Sternberg & Co., (formerly Dixon 
Bros, store), store of John H. and George A. Munson, occupied 
by Preston & Miner, Messenger hotel, furniture store and under- 
taking rooms of W. G. Willcox, the Munson opera house and 
also the residence of James T. Comstock, (the Dr. Lawrence 
place), home of William W. Lyon, (the Karr homestead), the 
Solomon Brown place and the Holley house. The total loss 
was estimated to be at least $75,000. 

This disastrous fire aroused our citizens from years of leth- 
argy to the fact that fire protection was needed by the village, 
and it was an easy matter in the following month of August, at 
a special meeting, to vote by a large majority a sufficient amount 
to build a fine system of water works, in which our citizens with 
scarcely any dissent manifest much pride. The system was 
constructed in the fall of the same year at a cost of $8,500, five 
hundred dollars of which was raised, leaving a standing debt of 
$8,000, for which bonds were issued in amounts of $500 each 
at 3 t-2 per cent, the first to be due and payable five years from 
its date, and one each year thereafter, till the whole amount was 
paid, the last bond to be due in 1910. The water supply is 
pumped from a well near the railroad station thirty feet deep 
and ten feet in diameter, with a twelve-horse power gasolene en- 
gine connected direct to a one hundred and thirty gallon triplex 
pump, to a concrete reservoir 40x60 feet and twelve feet deep, 
located two hundred and twenty-five feet above the well on the 
farm well known as the John Willcox farm. There are about 
one and one-fourth miles of four and six inch mains with thir- 
teen hydrants for fire protection, with an average pressure of 
eighty pounds. At present there are sixty-four water takers, 

t43 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



making an income of about $525, The water is pure and cold, 
and is not excelled by any in Central New York. 



NEWSPAPERS. 

The first newspaper published in Chenango County was the 
"Western Oracle", at Sherburne Four Corners, said to have been 
an octavo sheet containing what little amount of news might 
then be obtained from the country round about. Its editor was 
Abraham Romeyn. The next was the "Olive Branch" pub- 
lished by Phinney Fairchild at Sherburne West Hill, but both of 
these journals enjoyed only a short career. 

The first paper in our town was gotten out in 1858, and 
named the "New Year's Call", but only one copy wa^ ever 
printed. Its contents were a few verses of poetry by the late 
Sylvia Lawson Covey, and a few miscellaneous matters. Its 
publisher was James M. Scarritt, of the "Sherburne Transcript," 
who afterwards became a somewhat noted editor and publisher, 
conducting at one time the Clyde (N. Y..) Republican, the Mex- 
ico (N. Y.,) Independent, and later the Hudson (Mich.,) Regis- 
ter, in which he was very successful, remaining there until his 
decease not many years ago. Mr. Scarritt was a brother of our 
friend and excellent citizen. Nelson J. Scarritt, and we very 
much regret we are unable to give a more complete sketch of 
this family, one long and most favorably known in the town. 
George, another brother, was a long-time resident of our town, 
his home being the present Henry Crouch farm. He moved 
many years ago to South Dakota, where his death took place 
some four years ago. 

The next paper in Smyrna was the Smyrna Citizen, started 
in October, 1875, and lasting some fourteen months. Its motto 
was "Neutral in Politics, we work by the Golden Rule." Its 
owner and proprietor was the compiler of this book, and though 
it was not the largest or perhaps the most interesting of any in 
the county, yet some five hundred copies were gotten out each 
week, and if one of our lady poets of that day was to be be- 

144 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



lieved, we are confident it was a worthy journal. We insert a 
few lines of a "poem" written for the Citizen in 1876. 

"The nicest paper that 1 know, 
In all this Happy Land, 
'Tis one 1 love to ponder o'er, 
And hold within my hand. 

Though small in size, is ever graced. 
With pages clean and bright, 
And at the close of every week. 
We hail it with delight. 

******* 

It goes its round, of north and south, 
It flies to east and west, 
It never wearies or complains, 
But does its very best. 
******* 

Though other papers larger far; 
Than this, are not complete, 
The little Smyrna Citi{en, 
Can many others beat. 

The Chenango Tribune was launched in i he spring of 1881 
by our old friend, Frank J. Stanton, now of Norwich. It 
was a decided improvement over its predecessor, an eight page 
journal, which after a time was enlarged and made a four page 
sheet. It had a circulation of some six or seven hundred copies 
and was fairly well patronized by the business men of the town, 
perhaps the most conspicuous the "Smyrna Mills," in which the 
excellent qualities of "Munson's Patent Buckwheat Flour" was 
shown up in glowing terms. After an existence of some three 
years, the Tribune followed the Citizen and ceased to exist. 

The Smyrna Press was inaugurated in December, 1906, by 
L. D. Blanchard, who had previously sold the Earlville Stand- 
ard, a paper which he built up and made a success in every way. 
An enterprising and thoroughgoing newspaper man, he led oflf 
with the Press as the best and most ably conducted newspaper 
Smyrna had ever been possessed of. 

145 



Our First Old Home Week 



In 1897 he sold the paper to Wendell S. Phillips who has 
since conducted it, a clean, wholesome and reliable local news- 
paper, well representing the interests of the town and its people, 
having a paid ciruclation of some nine hundred copies, and it is 
scattered each week to nearly every quarter of the globe. All 
will sincerely hope that it may be continued for many years to 
come. 



SOCIETIES. 

The Smyrna agricultural Society was in existence 
some forty-five or more years ago, and its Annual Fairs were 
objects of interest to the people of the town and vicinity, and 
usually largely attended. The Union School building was made 
use of for a "Floral Hall," and the main Fair held on the Stan- 
bro lot a few rods west of the present station of the Ontario & 
Western Railroad. The agricultural exhibits were usually of a 
high order, and the crowd were generally regaled with sweet 
cider and generous cards of old-fashioned ginger bread, a pro- 
duct of those days which we doubt has ever been equalled by 
any modern cookery. There were no horse trots, and modern 
fakirs and gamblers had never been heard of. The last fair of 
the Society was held in the month of September, 1861. 

The First Secret Society in Smyrna was a lodge of Free 
and Accepted Masons, organized very early in the century, its 
place of meeting being the chamber of the log house of Joshua 
Talcott, one of its leading members. The rooms were reached 
by means of a stairway on the outside of the building. There 
are no records left of the organization, and whether it was 
moved to Sherburne in later years, or some other locality, or 
swept away by the great anti-masonic wave of the thirties and 
forties we are not able to state. The town has been for many 
years and remains at present within the jurisdiction of Sherburne 
Lodge No. 444, of the town of Sherburne. 

Smyrna Lodge, No. 116, 1. O. O. F., was organized Decem- 
ber 17, 1847, and still survives, one of the oldest lodges in Cen- 

t46 



Our First Old Home Week 



tral New York, still having a membership of forty-five. Its 
first officers were Levi H. Case, N. G. ; Elmore Isbell, V. G.; 
Francis E Dimmick, R. S.; George C. Mead, P. S. ; Dwight H. 
Talcott, T.: Milo Benedict, W.; Asa Harrington, C; Leman H. 
Talcott, 1. G ; Enos Merrell, O. G. Meetings were first held 
in the upper rooms of the hotel kept by Mr. Merrell, and later 
in the Kelsey building, and still later in the old Lawson hall, 
moving from there to the commodious quarters in the Munson 
Opera House in the fall of 1886. The rooms now used are the 
ones over the brick store built by the Chenango Loan Associa- 
tion for E. D. Miner. The organization has been a most worthy 
institution, and much good has been accomplished by it. Its 
red letter day was December 17, 1886, when it moved to its new 
quarters at the Munson Opera House, and its new rooms formally 
dedicated, on which occasion members from Norwich, Earlville, 
South Otselic and Eaton lodges took part. The officers on that 
occasion were Grand Master Edward Whitlock, and Grand Sec- 
retary James Terwilliger, of New York city, Rev. Leroy C. 
Hayes, of Norwich, Grand Chaplain, and Past Grand Master 
George W. Chapman, of Canastota. The banquet in the audi- 
torium of the Opera House at the close of the dedication, was 
by far the finest ever served in the town. The fiftieth anniver- 
sary of the lodge was duly celebrated on the evening of Decem- 
ber 17, 1897, and largely attended by all the surrounding lodges. 

The present officers of the lodge are as follows: N. G., 
Henry P. Northup; V. G., Eugene Howard; R. S., George A. 
Munson; P. S., James P- Willcox; T., William W. Lyon; W., 
Charles Humphrey; C, Wesley D. Wilbur; R. S. N. G., Clay- 
ton S. Widger; L. S. N. G., Walter G. Willcox; R. S. V. G., 
Jesse M. Willcox; L. S. V. G., Edward J. Deady; 1. G., Charles 
Bellinger; R. S. S., Edwin D. Miner; L. S. S., Benjamin Haz- 
ard. 

Smyrna Lodge No. 244., A. O. U. W., was organized July 
9, 1879, with the following Charter Members: James P. Will- 
cox, P. W. M.; Dwight L. Sweet, M. W.; George P. Pudney, 
Foreman; William H. Comstock, Overseer; Elbert F. Smith, 

147 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Recorder; Robert H. Knowles, Financier; Alfred Eastman, Re- 
ceiver; Isaac D. Wade, Guide; Chanley Isbell, Inside Watch- 
man; Frank J. Lawrence, Outside Watchman. It is still kept 
up as an organization, though with a decreased membership. Its 
present place of meeting is the little hall over the Nearing store. 

Stephen Weaver Post No. 576, G. A. R., of Smyrna, was 
constituted October 30, 1885, taking its name from First Ser- 
geant Stephen Weaver, of Company F, of the 114th Regiment, 
a brave and faithful young soldier who was mortally wounded 
at the battle of Winchester, September 20, 1862, at the age of a 
little less than twenty-three years. The Post has been prosper- 
ous and successful, and though its members are fast passing 
away to the great unknown, it still remains an honored institu- 
tion. Its Charter Members were: Isaac Weaver, Elbert F. 
Smith, Josiah Miles, Nathan Eldridge, William D. Warner, Isaac 
D. Wade, Mott C. Dixon, Nelson J. Scarritt, William H. Com- 
stock, James C. Lee, Samuel J. Hopkins, George W. Crumb, 
Thomas H. Mowers, Abram D. Ferris, David B. Russell, Elisha 
Bisbee, Jerome Snyder, Leonard S. Phillips. 

The officers of the organization elected for the year 1905, in 
January last, were: Commander, William H. Williamson; 
Senior Vice Commander, George W. Crumb; Junior Vice Com- 
mander, Manson K. Messenger, (deceased) ; Surgeon, Nathan 
Eldridge; Chaplain, Rev. H. ri. Baker; Quarter Master, J. W. 
Boynton; Officer of the Day, Duane D. Dimmick; Officer of 
the Guard, Andrew Frazier. 

Good Templars — Smyrna has always been known as a 
town of strong temperance proclivities, and there has scarcely 
been a period of more than a few years but that a strong tem- 
perance society has been in existence. In the forties the Wash- 
ingtonians, a strong organization held forth in the Kelsey hotel. 
A flourishing lodge of Good Templars was organized in the same 
building in 1867, which was a source of much good in the com- 
munity for several years, causing the reform of several excellent 
citizens who had long been addicted to the intoxicating cup. It 

148 




SERGEANT STEPHEN WEAVER. 



Our First Old Home Week 



was known as Smyrna Lodge, No. 239, and its public and social 
meetings and excellent work in various lines will be pleasantly 
remembered by all who were members in its successful days. 

From this lodge emanated John B. Finch, many years a suc- 
cessful school teacher in the town and village, who afterwards be- 
came widely known as a temperance leader, and was at the time 
of his decease in Boston in 1889 in his thirty-fifth year, Grand 
Worthy Chief Templar of the world. The Grand Lodge of 
England passed the following among many other resolutions of 
respect to the dead leader: "In the loss of our illustrious leader 
and chief, the world has lost a worthy citizen, and humanity a 
sincere friend, whose life will be remembered for aye, and whose 
memory will be enshrined in Templar History for all time." 

Joseph Cook, the noted platform lecturer of Boston, added 
the following testimonial to his character: "John B. Finch fell 
dead in Boston, which has seen many historic deaths, but since 
Warren fell in his early manhood at Bunker Hill, there is no 
death of a young man more pathetic than that of this reformer 
and hero. The soil of this city is henceforth the more sacred 
for having been an altar on which so costly a sacrifice was laid."^ 

A new lodge of Good Templars was organized in our village 
December 14, 1904, known as Smyrna Lodge No. 71, having a 
membership of some twenty-five, its present ofrlcers are as fol- 
lows: W. J. Abbott, C. T. ; Mrs. A. L. Harris, V. T. ; A. L. Har- 
ris, F. S.; Louise Comstock, Ass't Sec; James P. Knowles, T.; 
Ernest Abbott, M. ; Avis Campbell, D. M.; Mrs. W. H. Com- 
stock, Chap.; Henry K. Peckham, L. D.; Abel Comstock, P. C. 
T.; Nellie Luther, G. ; Justin Hitchcock, S. 



OUR SCHOOLS. 

Smyrna Union School was formed by a union of districts 
number two and number fifteen in the village, pursuant to an 
act of the State legislature passed March 19, 1852. The site se- 
lected for the new building is in the center of the village, very 
pleasantly located and one of the most attractive in the county. 

149 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



In the fall of 1889 the school was merged into an Academic 
school to be known as the Smyrna Union School and Academy, 
of which our citizens have reason to feel justly proud, as the in- 
stitution compares most favorably with those in much larger 
villages in the vicinity. It now contains an academic, interme' 
diate and primary department. 

We copy the following from the last Annual Catalogue: 
"Smyrna is a pleasant village of about four hundred inhabitants, 
located thirty-nine miles from Utica on the New York, Ontario 
& Western railroad. It is a quiet place, and the moral tone of 
the community is such that parents sending their children to 
school, may be certain that they will escape many of the tempta- 
tions common to most larger towns. 

"The school is very pleasantly located in a healthful part of 
the village, and about forty tine maples and elms add to the 
attractions of the surroundings. 

"Students will have access to a valuable reference library 
during school hours, and an opportunity will be atforded each 
Friday afternoon for members of the school to draw books from 
the general library. The books are mostly new and comprise 
the works of our standard authors of history, science, poetry 
and fiction. Great care has been exercised in selecting the 
library, and a strong effort will be made to develop in students a 
taste for the best literature. 

"Parents of the pupils are requested to make themselves 
familiar with the requirements of the "Compulsory Education 
Law," and to earnestly co-operate with the teachers and school 
oificers in preventing unnecessary tardiness and absences of the 
pupils. 

"The design of the school is to prepare the student for a life 
of usefulness. The instruction and discipline will be of a char- 
acter calculated to develop independence and self-control. To 
this end it is expected that the student will make his desk his 
place of business, and pursue his work with that earnestness of 
purpose which is the secret of all true success." 

tso 




FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 



Our First Old Home IVeek 



Its present Faculty are as follows: Principal, Arthur C. 
Lewis; Intermediate, Miss Antoinette Johnson; Assistant Inter- 
mediate, Miss Mary E. Wedge; Primary, Miss Estella Wilber. 

The School Board is composed of the following members, of 
which the first named is the etficient President: George P. Pud- 
ney, George A. Munson, Abel Comstock, Fred A. Sweet and 
William L. Chapman; Clerk, Charles Doll; Treasurer, John E. 
Widger. 



THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The First Baptist Church of Smyrna was organized Decem- 
ber 22, 1804, at the home of Joseph Tobey in the town of Sher- 
burne, (Smyrna then being a part of Sherburne). It was formed 
by Samuel Barber, Joseph Tobey, Joel Ellis, Freeman Ellis, 
Elizabeth Tobey and Sarah Ellis, and at this first meeting Joseph 
Tobey was appointed Deacon, and Joel Ellis, Clerk. Regular 
church meetings were held by appointment at private houses and 
school houses until 1832, when they were held in the Union 
Church built previously by the several denominations. On the 
22d day of October, 1807, at the home of Joseph Tobey, the 
Society received formal recognition by sister churches, which 
had sent delegates for that purpose. 

The first Sunday School was organized in May, 1835, its offi- 
cers being: A. H. Burlingame, Superintendent; Benjamin Bar- 
ber, Clerk ; Benjamin T. Lyon, Levi Post and Benjamin Barber, 
Trustees. In the year 1835, protracted meetings were held, un- 
der the direction of a committee appointed by the church, con- 
sisting of Rev. Comfort Record, Deacon Worden and Benjamin 
Barber. These meetings were held in the Congregational Church 
and great interest was created in the community, many people 
making public profession of religion and uniting with the differ- 
ent churches, thirty-three uniting with this church, which then 
had a membership of about seventy-five. On March 5, 1836, 
the church was organized into a corporate body according to 
the laws of the State of New York, and the first trustees under 

tst 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



such organization were Thompson G. Fisher, Levi Post and 
Benjamin T. Lyon. The name adopted was "First Regular Bap- 
tist Church and Society of Smyrna;" the seal were the letters, 
"B. S." 

In 1837 the meeting house, then located in what is now a 
pasture on the hill on the Wheeler farm, just east of the John 
McCotter place, was purchased and moved on to the lot now 
occupied by the church. After removal the interior was re-con- 
structed and replaced by new work, the building committee be- 
ing Benjamin T. Lyon, Stephen Harrington, John Ferris, Thomp- 
son G. Fisher, Levi Post and Benjamin Barber. Rev. D. G. 
Corey was pastor from 1836 to 1841, and during the four years 
of his pastorate one hundred and thirty persons were added to 
the church membership. 

In 1841 the Plymouth Baptist Church was formed from this 
church, and rhirty-four members were dismissed for that pur- 
pose. Rev. A. B. Earle, later a noted evangelist, was pastor in 
1842 and 1843, and during the time he was pastor, there were 
forty-five additions to the church. Commencing with the year 
1835 there was a continuous revival spirit up to 1843, and dur- 
ing that time there were about two hundred additions, some- 
thing remarkable in a single church located in a rural commu- 
nity. At about this time it was one of the largest and most in- 
fluential societies in this vicinity, numbering among its members 
some three hundred persons, From 1844 to 18 50, a large num- 
ber were dismissed by letter on account of their removal to other 
localities, and a number of exclusions from 1850 to 1860. 
There was no regular preaching service from 1861 to 1869, and 
the other services of the church were not kept up, this condition 
being caused by the depletion of membership by removal and 
exclusions before mentioned and the decease of many of the 
leading and aggressive members. In 1869 Rev. H. S. Jones 
commenced his record pastorate which continued until 1878 and 
regular services were resumed, the Sunday School being held at 
twelve o'clock and the preaching service at half-past one, which 

152 



Our First Old Home Week 



arrangement was continued until the coming of Rev. Frank Bare 
rett in 1886, when the services were held as at present; preaghi- 
ing at half-past ten o'clock and Sunday School at twelve. Fior 
the first time in the history of the church it commenced to hold 
Sunday evening preaching service. -jrii 

The church was repaired, re-decorated and refurnished Iffi 
side in 1885, at a cost of about $1,800, and the re-dedicatidrl 
took place on the 18th day of November, 1885, v;ith public s^i 
vices in the afternoon and evening. Rev. Dr. D. G. Core|^ 
pastor of the church forty-eight years previous, preached at fh'i 
afternoon service, and in the evening Rev. G. R. Burnsideof 
Buffalo, also a former pastor preached the sermon. The indebl*- 
edness incurred for repairs was all provided for with the txcttp^ 
tion of about $30, which was paid within a few days. A hip- 
tistry was added to the church in 1891, through the efforts of 
Rev. J. R. Church, who was then pastor, and in 1895 the first 
bell was installed, the result of personal work by Rev. Walter 
Vassar. Since the coming of Rev. Frank Barrett in 1886 tl)e 
church has been supplied with its pastors from students in Q^lr 
gate University at Hamilton, and its membership has increa^^d 
until now it numbers fifty-one bona-fide members. Six ministers 
have been ordained by the church, viz: Comfort Record, R. L. 
Wariner, H. S. Jones, Ebenezer Holroid, H. B. Dixon and E.'fe'. 
Buchanan. As auxiliary organizations it has at the preseixl 
time a Sunday School, Women's Foreign Missionary Sociely, 
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, Ladies' Aid So- 
ciety, a Children's Band and Cradle Roll. '^' 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 

The Friends Society of which we have not been able to f\f4 
any full or complete record, was organized in 1810, andji 
church built near the present home of Walter Sexton. A pgrt 
of the small wood-colored building near the railroad, notfarfrQjjji 
the old burial ground is a portion of the old edifice. The churpji 
became divided between the Hick site and Orthodox branclj^s 

153 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



and another church was built nearer the village. It is still stand- 
ing on the farm of Charles S. Billings, and in this old building 
for many years the old line members attended First Day, (Sun- 
day) and Fifth Day, (Thursday) services and no inclemency of 
the weather kept them at home. Many times they waited in 
deep solemnity for the Spirit to move, and at other times waxed 
eloquent as the Spirit directed. As the older members fell out, 
passing on to their final reward, and the new ones took their 
places, new ideas were prevalent and the old time service would 
not suffice for the younger generation, and the day came when 
the old building with all its sacred associations was deserted and 
a new church built at Smyrna Village, where services were held 
for a number of years; but finally to enable it to do a better 
work, it was removed to Upperville, as has been before stated, 
and it is now doing an excellent work in that part of the town. 

The days of broad-brim hats and poke bonnets have long 
since passed away, but the memory of those sainted men and 
women will ever remain bright to those who knew them, for 
they were among the noblest models of true manhood and 
womanhood whose presence ever graced our town. 

As has also been before stated, William Stover built a church 
on his own farm near Dark Hollow at an early day, known as 
the "Reform Methodist Church," but generally mentioned as the 
Stover "Meeting House." The site of the church is still pointed 
out by the older inhabitant but no vestige of the building now 
remains. 



THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

The early history of Congregationalism in Smyrna was in- 
terwoven with that of Sherburne. The pioneers of both towns 
came largely of New England Congregational stock, from Con- 
necticut and Rhode Island. "The fathers assembled for public 
worship the second Sabbath after their arrival in 1793, and the 
First Congregational Church and Society of Sherburne was or- 
ganized July 6, 1794." (Hatch's History of Sherburne.) 

154 




FIRST CONGREGATIDNAL CHURCH- 



Our First Old Home Week 



Though they had no settled pastor or meeting house yet they 
met regularly and had preaching for a number of years in each 
other's log cabins or in the open forest, and worshipped God 
often under great difficulties. 

With the opening of the nineteenth century it was proposed 
to build a permanent place of worship. The question as to its 
location proved a vexing and discordant one, and the outcome 
was two churches, one on Sherburne West Hill, the other near 
Sherburne village. The site of the former was selected to ac- 
commodate the people of Smyrna, and this church was com- 
posed largely of Smyrna people during its history of twenty-two 
years, 1802-1824. During this time the hearts of some of the 
West Hill members, especially that of Mrs. Chester Hammond, 
were tilled with a fresh zeal for God by reading the memoirs of 
Mrs. Harriet Newell, one of that band of heroic missionaries, 
and as a result religious meetings were begun in the school house 
in Smyrna village in the year 1812, and there was a powerful 
revival of religion in connection with the same. 

The First Congregational Church of Smyrna was organized 
June 26, 1824, with thirty-one members, twenty-one of them at 
least uniting by letter from the Sherburne West Hill Church. 
Services continued to be held in the school house for two years, 
which was enlarged for this purpose. The frame for a new 
church was raised in August, 1826, and the house completed the 
following year. Its first service was a funeral service, held in 
December, 1827, at the death of John Munson, who had been 
active in building the new edifice for worship. The church was 
dedicated January 20, 1828, Rev. Lyman Rexford of Sherburne 
preaching the sermon on that occasion. In its exterior architect- 
ure it has never been much changed, and it is adorned by one of 
the few colonial towers still extant. The bell, one of excellent 
tone, was mounted about 1840, and it was the old custom to 
toll the same when a death occurred in the town. This was 
known as the "passing bell." At first the bell was rung for a 
short time, then it was struck five for a woman or child 

155 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



dfiM seven for a man, and then the age was tolled by tens till 
cottipleted. At the close of a funeral the bell was also tolled till 
iht interment was completed. The two-faced clock was subse- 
quently purchased by general subscription, and has always been 
(designated as the "Town Clock." The interior of the original 
ch|urch was of colonial type, the pulpit standing high between 
tl}p^ two front doors, which was ascended by a flight of stairs 
an^ enclosed by a door. A gallery, supported by posts, was 
ejected nearly around the church except the pulpit end, the choir 
occupying that portion on the south end directly facing the min- 
i,^t)Br. Each pew was secured by a door, by which the father or 
tljf head of the family usually sat. The interior of the church 
\\[^s remodeled into its present form in 1868, under the pastorate of 
Ijt^v. Seneca M. Keeler, the choir raising $500 of the amount nec- 
essary to remodel the same by giving a series of Old Folks' 
Qjpcerts under the direction of Deacon L. B. Collins. 

^=^' The following deacons of the chufch often passed the ele- 
ments to their worshiping brethren and in turn have passed on 
tjgk drink of the Fruit of the Vine, new with Christ, in his Father's 
I^ngdom: Chester Hammond, Marsena Allen, Isaac Foote, Jr., 
William J. Chapman, Julius Wood, Gardner J. Kinyon, Levi 
BMCollins, Nathaniel T. Ferris, Ervin H. Sprague, Frank W. 
A,v^ry, Henry H. Hall. 

'5'^' The records of the church display a succession of very elfi- 
d^nt clerkships, and in this capacity are found George Ham- 
i^jdnd, Charles W. Chapman, Loren C. Kinyon, Rev. D. F. 
Jiidson, James H. Kinyon, Rev. M. C. Bronson, Herbert M. 
Bi^Xon, Mortimer C. Dixon. 

\ ' ' The following ministers of the gospel have served in pas- 
toral relation to the church: 1824-25, Ezra Woodstock; '26- 
iS, Luther Clark; '28-29, Charles E. Avery; '31-32, Samuel 
Manning; '32-34, Elias Childs; '34-39, Sidney Mills; '39-52, 
L^uel Pomeroy; '53-57, D. F. Judson; '58-60, M. C. Bron- 
sbri; '60-61, Andrew Huntington; '61-62, Charles Barstow, 
(became army chaplain 157 Reg't N. Y. S. V.;) '62-63, Archi- 

156 



Our First Old Home Week 



bald Crawford; '63-63, Augustus C Shaw; '63-66, John H. 
Nason; '66-70, Seneca M. Keeler; '70-71, Henry M. Grant; 
'72-73, Henry Carpenter; '74-84, Charles C. Johnson; '85-86, 
Quincy J. Collin; '86-88, Clarence F. Swift; '88-92, Lewis F. 
Buell; '92-96, B. F. Statfard; 96-97, William H. Hunter; '97- 
98, Henry W. Dowding; '98-99, Mailler O. Van Keuren; 1900- 
'02, James Chambers; '03-03, T. A. Waltrip; '04, William D. 
Eddy. 

The historical records of the church show that it has ever been 
a potent factor in shaping the high standard of morals that has 
prevailed in the community. Born of missionary enthusiasm it 
has never been wanting in the zeal for both home and foreign 
missions. For sixty years the Sunday School has been organ- 
ized into a Missionary Society and all its contributions go for 
missionary purposes. An Annual Missionary meeting is regu- 
larly held and all six of the Congregational benevolent societies 
are sustained. The musical talent of this church has an unusual 
record and for fifty-nine years that splendid leader, Deacon L. 
B. Collins, taught the young people the art of singing, and led 
the congregation in their worship of song. The Dixon-Collins 
Quartette, three Dixon brothers, Herbert M., Almenzo K., and 
Mortimer C, and Deacon L. B. Collins, made the hills of Che- 
nango County ring with their gospel melodies. In ministerial, 
educational, legal and commercial sons, the church has also had 
an excellent record. Among the list may be named: Judge Isaac 
Foote, first Judge of the Court of Appeals, and first Member of 
the Legislature from this vicinity; Rev. Orson Allen, and Mar- 
tha, a daughter of Judge Foote, Missionaries; Rev. Henry Ham- 
mond an eminent clergyman who organized the First Congrega- 
tional Church of Detroit, Mich,, now the strongest Congrega- 
tional church in that city; Col. Charles Hammond, Railroad 
Magnate and Founder of the Hammond Library of Chicago, Illi- 
nois; Rev. William Collins, a preacher of the gospel in the 
State of Michigan; Frank W. Avery, Missionary to the Congo 
country in Africa; Prof. Devolson Wood, a noted educator, and 
Hudson Wood, a brother, also an educator. 

157 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



During the four-score years of its history there have been 
periods of unusual activity, and from 1832 to 1843 there were one 
hundred and eighty-nine persons received into membership, 
and in 1848 twenty-seven were received, the list that year in- 
cluding the names of Myron T. Kinyon, Emily Northup Mann, 
Rachel Northup Barber, and Genora Collins Willcox, all of 
whom still survive, the last named now the senior member of 
the church. In i860 the Mallory brothers held a large revival 
which not a few will recall as a notable one, which greatly 
strengthened the church; but perhaps the most powerful local 
revival in the church was conducted by the evangelist Rev. A. 
B. Earle in the winter of 1877, when more than forty joined 
this church alone. It is probable that about this time the 
church reached its zenith of prosperity, having not far from 
three hundred members, several of whom were laymen widely 
distinguished for their piety and business ability. The aggregate 
membership of the church to date is eight hundred and two, 
with a present enrollment of one hundred and twenty-seven. 
Besides these there are a goodly number who are regular wor- 
shipers and faithful supporters of the church but who have not 
so far become active members. 

The following auxiliary societies each have a worthy history 
in connection with the church: 

Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, organized 
1888. Present membership, thirty-five. 

Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, organized 
1879. Present membership, twelve. 

Young Ladies Mission Circle, organized 1886. Present mem- 
bership, twenty-three. 

The "Path Finders" organized 1904. Present membership, 
eighteen. 

The Church Officers for 1905, are: Pastor, Rev. William 
D. Eddy; Deacons, William D. Hopkins, Robert H. Knowles, 
Christopher C. Clapper and Leonard S. Enos; Trustees, Edwin 

158 




FIRST METHODIST CHURCH. 



Our First Old Home Week 



S. Billings, Dwight L. Sweei, Robert H. Knowles, Loren R. Col- 
lins and Gardner N. Willcox; Clerk, Miss Anne Martin; Treas- 
urer, Murray Boyden; Assistant Treasurer, Miss Martha Northup; 
Superintendent of Sunday School, Leland L. Ferris; Superin- 
tendent of Primary Department, Mrs. Laura G. Eddy. 



FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

In the year 1816 a Methodist Class was organized at the 
Tobey farm on Smyrna Hill in a building now used as a horse 
barn, on the opposite side of the road from the house. It was 
composed of eight members, as follows: Joseph and Elizabeth 
Tobey, Lillibridge and Anna Willcox, Huge Cagwin and wife, 
and a brother named Sebry and his wife, both of whom after- 
wards joined the Mormons. Its. first minister was Rev. George 
Densmore, and the charge was on the Lebanon Circuit, and 
later on the Hamilton Circuit, until the Smyrna Circuit was 
formed in 1836. 

At a meeting held on April 8, 1836, at which Rev. H. Hal- 
stead presided and Stephen Leonard was clerk, the Society was in- 
corporated as the "First Methodist Episcopal Society of Smyrna," 
and its first trustees were Thomas R. Tracy, John Tobey and 
Eber Dimmick. This meeting was held in the village school 
house where the Society then steadily worshipped, but prior to 
these meetings services were held in private houses. On Novem- 
ber 9, 1839, John Strew and Maranda, his wife, conveyed to the 
Society a lot containing one rood and seventeen perches of land 
on which an old hotel was standing, known as the Mansion 
House, receiving therefor $450, and the same was fitted up for a 
place of worship, and used for five or six years, but was torn 
down in the spring of 1843, and a new church erected costing 
51,600. It is stated that when the school house was made use 
of, and before the church was built, the older organizations ex- 
tended to the new comers a most cordial welcome, the Congre- 
gational Church being especially obliging and helpful. The 
church grew and waxed strong in the faith as the years advanced, 

159 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



its facilities falling short of its requirements and additions becom- 
ing necessary. 

On April 1, 1854, in consideration of the sum ot ;^325 
Susan Shepard, a member of the church, deeded the Society its 
first parsonage, now the home of Marion Chapin. In the spring 
of 1866 the same was sold and the present property on South 
street was purchased by the church, although a portion of the 
land has since been sold. For many years the noon class was 
held in the church and the Sunday school in Lawson's (Pagan's) 
Hall, near the church, both of which were usually nearly full. 
In the year 1865 a chapel was erected in the rear of the church 
at an expense of $400, and in the year 1871 during the pastor- 
ate of Rev. Samuel Moore, now of Norwich, the church edifice 
was rebuilt and remodeled at an expense of $5,000, over $3,000 
of which was raised on the day of dedication, December 27, 
1871, at which time Bishop Jesse T. Peck, then well known 
here, preached the sermon from Exodus, 25th chapter and 8th 
verse, "And let them make me a sanctuary, that 1 may dwell 
among them." 

Following this there was a large revival and many members 
added to the church, then the strongest in the community. 
Those were prosperous days for Methodism in Smyrna, in fact 
the most flourishing of any period in the history of the local 
church. The large and handsome bell placed in the belfrey at 
the time of its enlargement was made at the Meneeley Bell 
Foundry at Troy, N. Y., and presented to the church by Elizur 
Goodrich and his sister, Mrs. E. B. G. Lincoln Coombs, both 
prominent members of the church at the time. Some twenty- 
five years later the bell became broken, and a new one has taken 
its place, made at Cincinnati, Ohio, a tine, sweet-toned bell, 
purchased by several of the young men of the church and society. 
It was rung for the tirst time for the Christmas services on 
Christmas Eve, 1897. In the summer of 1895, through the 
efforts of Rev. S. H. Wood and several members, the seating 
was changed and the platform removed to the west side of the 
church, where it has since remained. 

160 



Our First Old Home Week 



The following pastors have been stationed at Smyrna, many 
of whom will be remembered by the present generation: 
George W. Dcnsmore, I8t7; Daniel Barnes and Russel Down- 
ing, '18; Wyatt and Chamberlin, 'l9; Ezra Doolittle and Ira 
Bronson, '20; E. Jones, '21; William Cameron and Joseph At- 
wood, '22; Isaac Grant and Ezra Doolittle, '23; O. Doolittle 
and H. C. Warner, '24; William Cameron, '26; E. N. Flint, 
'27; William Rounds and S. Beach, '30; William Rounds and 
F. Colson, '31; A. Peck and H. Erckenbrach, '32; B. G. Pad- 
dock, '33; D. Davis and William Rand, '34; H. Hallstead, '35; 
C. Starr and A. Brown, '36-37; A. Peck and L. H. Stanley, '38; 
L H. Stanley and J. Crawford, '39; J. Dcnnison and D. Rose, 
'40-41; Shank, '42; (Plymouth was with Smyrna from '38 to 
'41); L Beach, '43-44; William H. Miller, '45; L Beach, '46; 
William G. Queal, '47^8; M. M. Tuke, '49-50; E. C. Brown 
and A. Brown, '51; R. S. Southworth, '53; J. Davis, '54; Lewis 
Hartshorn, '55-56; J. W. Mitchelll, '57-58; Wesley 'Peck, 59; 
J. Lord, '60; T. M. Williams, '62; William Burnside, '64-65; 
John H. Hall, '66-67; A. M. Colgrove, '68-69; Samuel Moore, 
'70-72; A. F. Brown, '73-74; Herbert Fox, '75-76; James L 
Race, '77-79; O. L. Severson, '79-81; J. L. Wells, '82; L. B. 
Weeks, '83-85; J. F. WiUiams, '86-88; A. D. Alexander, '89- 
90; G. F. Ace, '91-92; S. H. Wood, '93-95; H. C Blair, '96; J. 
W. Davis, '97-99; A. J. NefT, 1900 to September 15, '01; C D. 
Skinner, September 15, '01, to April 1,'03; G. W. Crosby, April 
1, '03, to October 30, '04; John F. Jones, October 30, '04, to 
April 1, '05. Rev. E. B. Quimby is the pastor now located here 
by the Wyoming Conference. 

We are aware that our venerable friend and Home Week 
visitor, James R. Tracy, of Toledo, Ohio, now deceased, made 
a partial claim as to priority in the organization of the church, 
claiming the same was effected at his old home, now that of 
Frank Hills, on the Plymouth road, but he was not positively 
sure he was correct, and from letters received from many old 
members of the church we are inclined to believe the old gen- 
tleman was in error and the organization perfected at the Tobey 

161 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



farm as at first stated. It matters not when or where the old 
church was organized, it is a fact that some of our best people 
have been its members, and it has exerted a powerful influence 
for good in the town and community. The old time revivals, 
the old sermons, the hymns and songs have left lasting impres- 
sions upon the many who have listened to them in the days 
gone by. Though Mr. Tracy's version may not be fully correct, 
we will give a portion of the same a place in our pages, as it 
will be of much interest not only to the present members of the 
church, but to all others who read it. 

"Methodism found a home and a name in the town of 
Smyrna in a very early day. The exact date is not known, but 
very soon after my father's settlement in the early summer of 
1816, regular preaching by the "circuit rider" was established, 
and a Metnodist Class formed at William Stover's house, and 
there was also another class formed at the residence of John 
Tobey, on Smyrna Hill, but which was the prior organization 1 
cannot rell. My father's house was for many years the regular 
meeting place for the preachers upon the circuit which met regu- 
larly once in four or six weeks, as the circuit chanced to have 
two or three preachers, for consultation regarding the general in- 
terests of the circuit. About the year 183 4 the organization of 
the Methodist church at the village was effected by the union of 
the two classes named. Barney Leonard of the Tobey class was 
appointed leader of the new organization, and John Tobey was 
one of the stewards. Eber Dimmick was also an active mem- 
ber and steward and there were three preachers upon the circuit 
at the time. In order of seniority they were Lyman Beach, 
Jesse Halstead and William Rounds. 1 well remember the quar- 
terly meeting held in the village in the fall of 1836, when the 
Congregational Church was cordially tendered for Sabbath ser- 
vices, and their minister. Rev. Sidney Mills, cheerfully assisted in 
the services, especially in the celebration of the Lord's Supper. 
Uncle Doctor Grant and his good wife, Hannah, were present 
on the occasion, and he voiced the sentiment of all when he 
said, '1 never expected to witness such a scene, and the Millenium 

162 



Our First Old Home Week 



certainly must be drawing near, for my eyes have certainly 
seen the coming of His Glory.' Such were the beginnings of 
Methodism in Smyrna." 

The present officers of the church are as follows: Trustees, 
Abel Comstock, John C. Abbott, James P. Willcox, Frank Hills, 
Clark A. Tinker, Edmund P. Tobey; Stewards, James T. Com- 
stock, John C. Abbott, Ziba L. Tuttle and Arthur L. Harris; 
Stewardesses, Mrs. William H. Comstock, Mrs, Frank Hills, Mrs. 
Lucy Tobey; Clerk, Ziba L. Tuttle. 



FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The Free Will Baptist Church of West Smyrna, was organ- 
ized in June, I8l9, at Lebanon, but removed to its present site 
in 1851. It has been exceedingly prosperous, its members be- 
ing among the very best people of the town, and a source of 
much benefit to the whole township. It has had an honored 
list of worthy pastors, its present pastor, Rev. H. H. Baker, who 
is also a veteran of the civil war, being equally if not more 
highly esteemed and respected than any among them all. The 
following is a list of all the ministers who have been called to 
preach at this church: Caleb Easterbrook, 1819-25 ; Levi Gard- 
ner, '25-34; Joseph Willcox, '34-43; William C. Byers, '43-46; 
Eli Card, '46-50; S. D. Gardner, '50-51; Benjamin Rowland. 
'5l-54;F. H. Hill, '54-57; John Crandall, '57-63; J. W. Brown,' 
'63-64; S. S. Cady, '64-65, and '81-86; John Wedge, '86-87; 
Alfred Eastman, '87-89; William Warner, '92-93, (six months); 
S. S. Mead, '93-97; C. H. Hook, '97-98; George Blackford, 
'98-99; H. H. Baker, '89-92, '99-05. 

The first framed church was built in 1848, and the new one 
in 1873. The present membership of the church is one hundred 
and twenty-five. There was no preaching in the church from 
1865 to 1867. 

It is unnecessary for us to say that during the past twenty- 
five years all country churches have suffered seriously by reason 

163 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



of many of the older members passing away, and many of 
the younger part of the community moving to the larger towns 
and cities, and we are compelled to say many of those remain- 
ing showing a great lack of interest in the cause so strenuously 
labored for by the fathers and mothers long since departed. 
What may be said of our own town may be also said of others, 
but we can truly say that thirty years ago Smyrna was the ban- 
ner Sunday School town in Chenango county. 

We sincerely hope the sound of the church bells will never 
cease to be heard over our hills and through our valleys, and 
none of our churches ever be closed, for we firmly and truly be- 
lieve that their hearty maintenance will ever be for the lasting 
benefit of the town and its people. 

With our history of the churches we draw our labors to a 
close and leave our work in the hands of our friends, and in re- 
viewing the same we are most forcibly reminded of the fleet- 
ness of time and its constant changes, and that we also are 
passing away, and that our places will soon be filled by the on- 
coming generations, for it has been said "Our life is a dream, 
our days Hke a stream, glide swiftly away." 

The life of the writer has all been spent in Smyrna, the town 
of his birth, and while fully aware there are better and more at- 
tractive places up and down our land yet to him none offer 
more pleasing attractions than the healthful and quiet resorts 
that abound within our own borders. Never an extensive trav- 
eler it has been his privilege to look over a goodly portion of 
our country, and while he has seen the beauties of the landscape 
from the Pine Tree State to California and its Golden Gate, 
watched the sun rise from the depths of the broad Atlantic, seen 
it sink away into the watery bed of the great Pacific, stood on 
the summit of the Rockies, awed by one of the finest views im- 
aginable, watched the rolling waves of all the great Lakes save 
one, and viewed nearly every point of interest in our own New 
York, the great Empire State, yet, he has looked on all these 
with but little more satisfaction than when on a summer's day 

164 



Our First Old Home Week 



he has looked over the handsome hills and valleys of Smyrna, 
and old Chenango, or wandered along the brooks and streams, 
amon^ many attractive places, or sought the solitude of that 
quiet and romantic resort, pleasing to all who have ever visited 
the same, our own delightful and fascinating Smyrna Falls. 

Concerning our town and its people much of the past is 
known and written. Its history equals not a few and excels 
many in various respects. Its future remains unknown and un- 
written, but we can only hope that the lives and teachings of the 
past generations will ever be a strong incentive to righteous acts, 
in the hearts and minds of those who are to come after them. 

May the memory of the moral and religious lives of the 
fathers and mothers be a guide and a shield to all their posterity. 

"Before the hills in order stood, 
Or earth received her frame. 
From everlasting thou art God, 
To endless years the same. 
A thousand ages in thy sight, 
Are like an evening gone. 
Short as the watch, that ends the night. 
Before the rising sun. 

Time, like an ever rolling stream. 

Bears all its sons away, 

They fly, forgotten, as a dream, 

Dies at the opening day. 

Our God, our help in ages past. 

Our hope for years to come. 

Be thou our guard while troubles last, 

And our eternal home." 



t6S 



Our 

First Old Home 

Week 

August 7-14, 1904 



Our First Old Home Week. 



" Once more among the stately hillsides look, 
Where flows the limpid stream, called Pleasant Brook." 

The observance of an Old Home Week, or a time in which 
the many sons and daughters of old Smyrna who, during the 
earlier and later days of the past, have gone out from among us 
might re-visit their old homes and mingle together once more 
with old neighbors and friends, had many times been brought up 
by our citizens and many plans connected with the same pre- 
sented, but nothing definite concerning such a gathering was ac- 
complished until the winter of 1904, when after much talk and 
much discussion a meeting was called at the office of George P. 
Pudney, Esq., on Saturday evening, February 27, from which 
an adjournment was made to the same place on Monday eve- 
ning following, at which meeting it was unanimously voted to 
observe an "Old Home Week," the date of the same to be the 
week of August 7th- 14th, and a committee chosen to formulate 
a plan for such an observance, consisting of the following gen- 
tlemen: George P. Pudney, Stephen K. Willcox, William E. 
Stover, John W. Shepardson, Wendell S. Phillips, William L. 
Chapman and George A. Munson. This meeting was adjourned 
to Monday evening, March 14th, when the following officers 
were chosen : President, George P. Pudney, Esq. ; Recording 
Secretary, Wendell S. Phillips; Corresponding Secretary, George 
A. Munson, Esq.; Treasurer, Stephen K. Willcox, Esq. This 
meeting was adjourned to Tuesday evening, March 22d, when 
the balance of the committee were chosen, as follows: 

Executive Committee, of which the President, Secretaries 
and Treasurer were to be a part. John W. Shepardson, Dwight 
L. Sweet, William E. Stover, Manson K. Messenger, Dr. Thurs- 
ton G. Packer and William L Chapman. 

At another meeting held at the same place on Monday eve- 
ning, March 28th, the following Vice Presidents were chosen : 

v69 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Norman Congdon, Abel Comstock, Stephen Robbins, James P. 
Knowles, N. Jerome Brand, Loren R. Collins, George Bavin, 
Lynn F. Williams, Avery K. Reynolds, Casher Taylor, Gilbert 
Tuttle, Francis G. Stanton, Wesley D. Wilbur and Lamando 
Finch. Other committees were also chosen as follows: 

Finance — William W. Lyon, William H. Comstock, Charles 
W. Humphrey, George W. Crumb and Fred A. Sweet. 

Invitation — George A. Munson, James T. Comstock, Ed- 
mund P. Tobey, Frank R. Taylor, J. Orville Preston. 

Music — Gardner N. Willcox, Leland L. Ferris. 

Field Sports — John T. Condon, Walter G. Willcox, Edward 
B. Lyon, William P. Graham, Frank E. Rickard. 

Early in May following invitations were sent out far and 
near to nearly every state and even beyond the seas, nearly all 
receiving them sending back a hasty response, all in warmest 
sympathy with the project, and hoping for its complete success. 

The following is a copy of the circular invitation issued by 
the invitation committee: 

OLD HOME WEEK. 
Smyrna, N. Y., August 7-t4, 1904. 

INVITATION. 

Smyrna cordially invites you to participate in Old Home Week, which 
will be observed during the week, of August 7, 1904. 

Fully believing that a reunion of old citizens, friends and neighbors 
will be of much benefit to all, we sincerely trust that there will be a 
large attendance. 

Sunday, August 7 — All the churches will unite in appropriate services 
for the occasion. 

Monday evening, August S — Every School District will unite in burn- 
ing Beacon Fires. 

Tuesday, August 9 — Registration of Visitors. 

Tuesday Evening, August 9— Grand Banquet, with Toasts and Speeches 
by former citizens. 

Wednesday, August 10 — Grand Reunion and Field Day, including Day 
Fireworks. 

Wednesday Evening, August 10 — Grand Display of Fireworks. 

It is expected the entire week will be devoted to a general renewal 
of old acquaintance, and that there will be many family reunions and 
various other attractions. 

Let it be a week worthy of the occasion. 

170 



Our First Old Home IVeeh 



Among the responses were the following: 

Santa Cruz, Cal., July 30, 1904. 

To George A. Munson, Esq.: 

The Old Folks at Home, and the New Generation of 
Smyrnaites. 

GREETING: — When I received in May the announcement of 
Old Home Week in Smyrna, and an invitation to attend from 
Mr. Munson, my boyhood friend, I inwardly resolved to be 
there. Nothing seemed more desirable to me than the prospect 
of a reunion with the remaining friends and acquaintances of early 
days who still linger in Smyrna, or who might journey thither 
on this occasion. 

For weeks I cherished that dream of prospective happiness 
and vas very loth to put it aside. But the shaping of events 
has rendered this impossible. My vocation which makes me 
responsible for the appearance and contents of a daily paper, is 
one of the most exacting that our modern complex civilization 
has yet developed. Time and tide wait for no man, the proverb 
runs, but time in its demands upon a newspaper man is abso- 
lutely ruthless. 

The "Good Old Summer Time" brings throngs of visitors 
and a constant succession of news events in Santa Cruz, which 
with the incidental attention that must be paid to politics, left 
me no loop-hole this year out of which I could escape to Smyrna 
to shake hands with you, mingle a tear with you for the "dead 
already" and exchange greetings of good cheer for the days of 
the journey to come. Hence I send these words of "hail and 
farewell." If perchance there should be an opportunity for their 
hearing in the busy days of your reunion, you will know that 
though long severed by time and distance, I am not negligent, 
nor forgetful of obligations to the land of my birth. 

To do even this requires a brief isolation from my regular 
routine of work. Perhaps we will understand each other better, 
if I sketch the surroundmgs from which I write, before 1 let recol- 

171 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



lection bridge the chasm of the years, and thought traverse the 
width of the continent that separates us. 

Mr. Munson is the only one of my old school fellows or 
youthful acquaintances who has visited me here. That was in 
the earlier years of my California life, but he can geographically 
locate Santa Cruz. 

Knowing that 1 desired to hide myself from the world for a 
few days the manager of the Big Creek Electric Light and 
Power Company tendered us the use of his summer cottage, 
near the power house. This is 18 miles from Santa Cruz in the 
heart of the Big Creek canyon. Half a mile above is the power 
station where the "power" from this stream and from another 
in a neighboring canyon carried through the hill in a tunnel, is 
converted into electrive energy, to be transmitted 18 miles to 
Santa Cruz where it propels the street cars, lights the city, and 
furnishes power for manufacturing. The surplus power is trans- 
mitted 20 miles further (38), where it performs similar service 
in the town of Watsonville. Wires are now being strung to 
many farm houses where electric power propels pumps, churns, 
feed cutters, wood saws, and banishes the lantern and the lamp 
from farm life. This stream for which the poverty of the imag- 
ination of the early settlers left no name but Big Creek, flows 
about 2,000,000 gallons of water per diem. 

In my Smyrna days we should have as soon thought of 
measuring the clouds as to measure the flow of Pleasant Brook 
or the Chenango River. In California the worth of water is 
more than land and every stream is gauged as accurately as land 
is surveyed. In this county there are fifty running streams of 
varying capacity, but their aggregate water rights could not be 
purchased for half a milUon dollars. 

Their valleys are often little more than ravines (called can- 
yons in California) as the distance from the Santa Cruz range 
to the sea is only from twenty to thirty miles. The canyon of 
Big Creek is a cleft of from two hundred to twelve hundred feet 
in depth. Run a stream of water through Dark Hollow, and 

178 



Our First Old Home Week 



clothe the hillsides with heavy timber and you have a suggestion 
of the scene. In lieu of Smyrna hemlocks, for evergreens, 
we have pine, fir, spruce and redwood. In place of the beech, 
cherry and ash of the Smyrna woods, there are sycamore, laurel, 
alder, madrone, buckeye and oak. The maple is the only tree 
in common, but the California specimen is inferior to the sugar 
maple of Smyrna. In height these trees range from 50 to 250 
feet and up to 8 and 12 feet in diameter. The aboriginal ani- 
mals, deer, rabbit and quail, still dispute occupancy with man, 
and trout would be abundant but for the fact that fishermen 
are yet more abundant. In this retreat is built the bungalow 
from which 1 write. Branches of giant oaks overhang its roof 
and the shade of tall redwoods, and mighty firs falls across its 
porches. Sylvan simplicity, with "modern improvements," fur- 
niture to fi[ a parlor, hot and cold water, bath room, twenty-six 
electric lights, refrigerator, etc., are included. These July morn- 
ings the first task is to touch the fire in the huge throated fire- 
place. We have slept under two blankets at night, and revel in 
a delicious day temperature of from 70 to 85 degrees. In two 
days perhaps twenty flies might be counted, but nary a mosquito, 
gnat or wasp. Just now mv recollection runs to the Smyrna 
picnics drenched by thunder showers, to the stifling nights of 
midsummer, to the wilted collars and twisted tempers of the 
summer time, to the perils of choke cherries and milk, and the 
after consternation of the alimentary region, when gorged with un- 
der-ripe watermelons, a temptation not to be resisted, when the 
mercury would clamber above ninety and not come down day 
nor night. 

I am glad I came up here to write you, for as 1 stood last 
night by the whirring generators of the power that was pulling 
cars and lighting houses ten, twenty, thirty, forty miles away, it 
gave the imagination a strength which helped me to send the 
current of thought back over the years, and bring before me 
again faces and places familiar in other days. I shall be in 
Smyrna on Old Home Week even if not seen. The vision is 

173 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



not the only testimony to the spirit, the physical form not the 
only evidence of existence. 

********** 

Our forefathers, a majority of them, came up from Connect- 
icut a hundred years ago or thereabouts, to better their condition. 
They succeeded. Most of them were farmers or craftsmen en- 
gaged in supplying the wants of farmers. For farming purpo- 
ses the valley of the Chenango and its tributaries was incompar- 
ably superior to the stone-walled pens called farms in Connecti- 
cut. The first generation in Smyrna settled their sons and 
daughters about them. There was land enough and occupation 
sufficient. The fathers brought up from the Nutmeg State their 
"steady habits" and by the precept and example, as far as possi- 
ble they transmitted them. Smyrna has sent one man to Con- 
gress, and I have heard that one of the Smyrna boys of my 
youth has been in the penitentiary, but barring these exceptions 
the sons of Smyrna have done their full share of the world's 
work and upheld the dignity of American citizenship at home 
and abroad. In fifty years from the day that the ax was leveled 
at the virgin forest, the township of Smyrna was all occupied, 
and the village grown to the limit of its tributary support. For 
the past half century Smyrna has simply held her own, and sent 
her swarming sons and daughters out into the world. And the 
world is a wide one. What tales were told of this wide world 
before the days of telegraphic service and daily newspapers. 

In those days when every store was a club room, what sto- 
ries were related by LeGrand Jaynes, Denison Kelsey, "Ben" 
Holley and Plumb Smith, and others whose identity escapes me 
now. Great rovers those fellows were, and all of them could 
draw the long bow. Plumb Smith had been in the Mexican 
war. LeGrand Jaynes made money enough somehow out of 
the outside world to build a fine house in Smyrna, and he could 
tell a story which would put to blush the tales of Gulliver or 
Robinson Crusoe. Long before Horace Greeley began his ex- 
hortations to young men to "go West," these travelers and others 

174 



Our First Old Home Week 



had fired the heart of many a Smyrna boy to^seek his fortune 
in che great outside world. 

So Smyrna while not achieving greatness in herself has 
grown great in the culminated conquests of her sons, who to- 
day can be found in nearly every state, and some of them over 
the oceans. 

********* * 

In the period from l85o to 1880 when Smyrna was most 
prolific in stocking the country with good citizens, the social 
conditions in Smyrna were favorable for the development of men 
of self-reliance, independence of thought and action and honor- 
able ambition. The population had as yet received but little 
foreign admixture, the schools were attended by pupils whose 
parents and grandparents were of the same soil and were taught 
by kindred only a little larger grown. Teaching district school 
sufficed in lieu of a college education for a majority of the 
Smyrna made men and women of a prior generation, and re- 
sults prove it in no wise inferior as a preparatory to the more 
costly and fashionable "higher education" of a later period. 

Questions of social importance and questions of state were 
settled in the country debating societies, and in the open forum 
conducted in shop and store wherever neighbers did congregate. 
Among my earliest recollections are those of tierce debates on 
politics and religious topics in Smyrna stores. Spiritualism was 
a new thing, and James O. Ransom who kept a store just beyond 
the residence of John Willcox was its local prophet. My uncle, 
William Taylor, was a clerk in his store, and my childish fancy 
was tremendously stimulated by the sanguine enthusiasm of Mr. 
Ransom. The Spiritualists met in an "upper room" (I think 
Lawson Hall). Their adherents included the venerable Mr. 
Hartwell, Paris G Holley and wife, and many other people of 
prominence in their time. 

Politics singed and sizzled in those days. I vividly recall 
Woodbringe Spencer, a gentleman of the old school, who was a 
capitalist by the standard of the times, and being a bachelor de- 
voted his time to the discussion of public affairs. He was called 

t7S 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



a Copperhead by his opponents and I guess came near deserving 
the title. The voice of Alfred Glynn was another which could 
be heard across the street almost any day. He had better ideas 
concerning public affairs, in his own opinion, than the entire na- 
tional administration. 

Since I can remember, Smyrna had about 400 voters. Three 
hundred of them were Republicans, and one hundred Democrats 
and for more than a generation the count never varied more 
than ten from these fignres. Yet these 100 Domocrats put up 
as gallant a fight on general election day and at town meetings 
as if a victory was in sight and the eyes of the nation were upon 
them. 

Leroy C. Sweet was the invincible leader of the Democrats, 
and I have never seen in any part of the country an abler or 
more faithful party man than he. My grandfather Richard D. 
Taylor was the standing nominee for Supervisor and would reg- 
ularly poll the hundred Democratic votes, while the balance 
were given to Asa Wilber or Andrew Shepardson. 

There were three Inspectors of Election, and as the law re- 
quired one of them to belong to the minority party, there was 
one Democrat annually elected. For many years this lone 
Democratic office holder in Smyrna was my father, Alfred Tay- 
lor. His colleagues for several years were \ale Northrup and 
Augustin Pier. Nepotism was strong enough to secure my ap- 
pointment as one of the clerks of election. In those days the 
political parties printed their own ballots, of different colors and 
"stickers" or "pasters" were used for split tickets. Election day 
was a great day, outside of the sale of molasses candy and gin- 
gerbread by the small boy whose thrifty marketing backed by 
the hard work of mother and sisters at home, often brought in 
forty cents, sometimes sixty, and sometimes a dollar or more. 
It was pull and haul all day long. Loud words were regarded 
as the strongest arguments, and tempers often collapsed under 
the strain. About five o'clock Andrew Shepardson would come 
in to the polling place, look over the poll list and declare how 
the vote stood. He often hit it exactly and never missed by 

»76 



Our First Old Home Week 



more than three or five. I thought this was a marvelous feat 
and 1 held Mr. Shepardson in great awe. He was a man of 
ability, and deserved all the political honors conferred upon him. 
Leaving my post for a hasty lunch one day, I observed Col. 
Hall in an excited mood surrounded by a ring of bystanders. 
Failing to convince, he offered to clinch his argument by bet- 
ting ten dollars. 1 knew nothing then of Col. Hall's "circum- 
stances" but the fact that he had ten dollars to risk established 
his standing in my mind as a man of wealth. While the local 
ticket varied some from year to year during a generation the 
name of Francis E. Dimmick always appeared "for Justice of 
the Peace." Squire Dimmick was a man of strong individuality 
and talents far above the average of his fellows. Joe Antone, 
the lone Indian of Smyrna, was a conspicuous figure on election 
days as long as he lived. He sold bows an arrows, and appar- 
ently enjoyed the admiring curiosity with which he was regarded 
by the boys. Standing in a group one day someone asked him 
his age. He stood erect, broad chested and active. "Seventy- 
seven" said old Joe, and pointing with a finger to his heart ad- 
ded "me boy yet." 

Outward and visible religion was ever in evidence in Smyrna. 
One of the earliest pictures on memories' walls is that of William 
Lucas under the influence of "the power." "Bill" Lucas as he 
was universally called had considerable power in his normal con- 
dition. He was a stout built six-footer with a voice like a bull 
of Bashan, and when he let himself out to shout Hallelujah, or 
Glory, he could be heard for half a mile. "Bill" Lucas as an 
"exhorter" created quite a stir in his time, and a lack of "book 
learning" did not deter him from "expounding" the Book of 
Revelations, or tackling the most subtle passage of Scripture for 
a text. 

In the Methodist Church were two men always to be heard, 
Alfred Eastman and Solomon Brown, and another, stable pillar 
of the church, who rarely ever "spoke," Alonzo Bennett. Meth- 
odism in Smyrna reached its zenith during the pastorate of Rev. 

t77 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Samuel Moore, when the present church edifice was erected. 
During this period it furnished two young men to the ministry, 
E L. Bennett and my brother, Fred P. Taylor, both of whom 
have finished their course. 

In reviewing Smyrna history from this standpoint, the town 
seems fortunate in having a colony of Quakers among its early 
settlers. This peculiar people do not proselyte nor evangelize, 
but they exert an influence deeper and broader than is realized 
by superficial observation. 1 listened to hundreds of sermoas 
in the Methodist, Congregational and Baptist churches in 
Smyrna, yet I doubt if they produced as permanent impressions 
as services attended in the Friends' meeting house. Sometimes 
these services were silent, sometimes the voice of wisdom was 
heard. A quaint philosophy abounded among the Quaker peo- 
ple. 1 recall an aged broad brim whose name need not be men- 
tioned, who related one day with great earnestness some inci- 
dents of his life. "When I was twenty-one years old" he said, 
"I started out to bring every man to my terms" a pause and he 
added with a stern humility "but 1 have failed in a number of 
incidences." 

Another scene comes up to me, when the residence of a 
Friend was in process of erection. A carpenter employed had 
made an aggravating, stupid blunder. Human nature and 
Quaker calm struggled for the mastery. Then he spoke with 
moderation and vehemence both in his voice "William, thee is a 
fool." The blundering workman unabashed replied "Then I am 
noi to blame." "Yes thee is," came quickly from the Quaker's 
lips, "thee is to blame for not trying to hide it." 

Time and distance has drawn the veil of forgetfulness over 
many a familiar face of long ago, but as I write these stand out 
before me as of yesterday the face of "Uncle" Henry Knowles, 
and the procession of Knowleses and Bosses, and Peckhams and 
Purdys, which were wont to file silently Sundays and Thursdays 
into the meeting house yard. In all the earth there were never 
fresher, rosier cheeks on maidens, nor more limpid and lustrous 
eyes than were concealed behind those witching Quaker bonnets. 

178 



Our First Old Home IVeek 



In mature years and with a fair knowledge of all creeds of 
Christendom and so-called heathendom 1 find none embodying 
more practical common sense, more consistent blending of the 
human and divine, than the doctrines of the Quakers. In the 
evolution of modern society we have nearly eliminated the So- 
ciety of Friends and established the Salvation Army. More's 
the pity. I have heard that the Stover meeting house at the 
head of Dark Hollow is no more. This free church had a 
romantic history. Built before my time by a man who didn't 
believe in Babel towers, as he designated the church steeple, this 
meeting house afforded a pulpit for predatory preachers of all 
cults. Keen cut in memory is the meetings held there by a 
darky preacher named Street, who used to drive up from Nor- 
wich and hold services on Sunday afternoons. To hear him 
sing while the hat was passed for collection repaid many for 
traveling miles. I now hear the refrain. 



"And Mary came a running 
On purpose for to see 

The Angel says He is not here 
He's gone to Galilee." 



Revival meetings (I do not speak flippantly) were the chief 
entertainment of winter evenings. They had to give way for 
the annual donation party, and to an extent for the singing 
school. The singing school as taught for a generation by 
Deacon Levi Collins, was a joint promoter of music and matri- 
mony. Speaking of Deacon Collins I would, and I believe every 
Smymaite would to-day, give more to hear old Deacon Collins 
sing "The Valley of Chenango" than to listen to the most popu- 
lar prima donna of the age. For the average boy or girl the 
school exhibition at the close of the winter term was the culmi- 
nating event of the season. At the first of these affairs of which 
I was among those present, for want of any other place I was 
seated on the platform at the feet of Miss Sylvia A. Lawson. I 
had seen her name signed to pieces of poetry in the Chenango 
Union, and to my juvenile mind a poet could not be common 

179 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



clay. 1 figuratively as well as literally sat at her feet and stared 
in open-eyed wonder and admiration at her bright and pleasing 
countenance. Afterwards I entered journalism through the same 
avenue by writing "pieces" for the Chenango Union, and I have 
lived long enough to discover that men and women may write 
for the newspapers and yet be intensely human. 

********** 

Smyrna had a fair share of quaint and queer characters. Per- 
haps no worse rag-a-muffin was ever on earth than "Old Pettis." 
Clad in rags and filth, and peddling baskets he was one of the 
most repulsive objects of my remembrance. The appearance 
and mode of life of "Old Pettis" was not due to poverty but to a 
perverted mind. 

"Gowdy", a half-wit, was the village butt for many years. 
Uncle Sam when he was hard pressed for soldiers found another 
name for "Gowdy" and as Leroy German he was drafted. He 
was terribly teased about going to war, but when it came time 
to take the matter seriously a petition was drawn up and signed 
setting forth that he was mentally incompetent, and he was dis- 
charged. "Gowdy" took this as a mark of good will and not 
as a reflection on his cranial capacity. 

Elisha Sprague who owned a farm of two acres at the foot 
of the "dugway" a couple of miles west of the village, was a 
philosopher of less repute than Job or Carlyle, yet not without 
influence upon his day and generation. Elisha and his wife were 
members of the Baptist church, but for some cause he did not 
consider that his wife had received proper treatment in the 
church, and thereafter for years Elisha walked for worship every 
Sunday to a Free Baptist Church in the town of Otselic, to show 
the Smyrna Baptists "proper resentment" as he stated. Mr. 
Sprague was the thrifty owner of a flock of seventeen sheep, one 
of whom departed this life during a severe winter. The loss of 
one-seventeenth of his flock was keenly felt, but he met it with 
resignation saying "1 have a wife and seventeen sheep, them that 
has must lose." 

180 



Our First Old Home Week 



The most useful family ever reared in Smyrna, was the Dixon 
family, (I speak of a single family, not of tribes like the Collins, 
the Wilcoxs and the Wilburs,) Charley, Joe, Hub, Menzo, 
Mott and Sadie in youth, C. G., J. W., H. M., A. K., and M. C, 
as after designated, Charles G., Joseph W., Herbert M., Almenzo 
K.. Mortimer C, and Sarah. Considering inheritance and envi- 
ronment, my experience in life affords me no parallel to the 
career of the Dixons. When the annals of Smyrna are written, 
no little part should be accorded to this remarkable family. 
Herbert Dixon was one among ten thousand. 1 knew him well 
under many trying and distressing circumstances, and I never 
knew a man whose eye was more single to the right as he saw it. 

If required to name the most useful man in Smyrna in my 
time, 1 should reply Dr. G. E. Lawrence. My recollection runs 
to old Dr. Mead who owned and occupied the only brick house 
in the village, and to Dr. Devillo P. White who resided in an octa- 
gon house in Sherburne, but whose "ride" extended to Smyrna. 
Dr. Lyman and Dr. Owen of Sherburne were also often minis- 
ters of mercy in our town. By-the-way, in September, in San 
Francisco, there is to be conclave of Knights Templar. Ten 
thousand swords and forty bands are to be in procession, but the 
sight will not thrill me like the voice and attire of Dr. 1. C. 
Owen did when as Grand Master I heard him conduct the Ma- 
sonic rites at the first fraternal funeral I ever attended. 

I had thought to revive personal memories and to make 
mention of relatives and acquaintances, but I am admonished 
that this paper is too long. My kindred were numerous in 
Smyrna, and included many noble men and women in their 
day. One brother, Frank R., one uncle, Horace T. Nearing, 
and one cousin, W. P. Briggs, are all that remain of the circle 
of relatives. As I mentally call the roll of acquaintanceship I 
find most of them absentees. Some are scattered o'er the land 
but a majority have gone to the Far Country. 

I hope some one on this occasion will embalm the record of 
the Smyrna boys "who went to war," beginning with Samuel J. 
Hopkins, one of Lincoln's three months men, and including the 

tst 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



list who afterwards enlisted in Ellsworth's Zouaves, and in the 
114th and the 15 7th Regiments, N. \. V. 

1 am not forgetful of devoted teachers and pleasant school 
fellows of both genders. Term after term of public school left 
little permanent impress, but those of us who were pupils in the 
Select school taught by Isaac B. Collins, have an experience to 
be ever gratefully remembered. School Master Collins may 
have been old-fashioned, but he was fashioned after the model 
of the true teacher, who imparts instruction and awakens the 
desire for more knowledge. 

In the school days 1 passed in Smyrna, 1 was in a state of 
constant admiration of the handsomest boy and the prettiest girl 
in [he room. It so happened that both were brilliant as well as 
as beautiful. The boy, "Tommy" Sweet, passed away before 
attaining his majority. The girl — the girl — this paper is alto- 
gether too long. 

Arthur A. Taylor. 



North Lakimpur, (Assam) India, July 15, l904. 
Mr. G. a. Munson, Cor. Sec'y, Smyrna, N. Y.: 

Best Wishes for Old Home Week, with Cordial Greetings. 

Mr. & Mrs. H. B. Dickson. 



Denver, Col., July 31, 1904. 
My Dear Friends: 

Your kind invitation to the reunion is received. My heart is 
touched beyond expression to know I am not quite forgotten, 
and "it is sweet to be remembered." 

Dear old Smyrna friends, 1 love you all, and wish 1 could be 
with you next week, and join in the festivities of the occasion, 
but as that cannot be I can only wish you a good time. May 
God bless you all and keep you near Him. May we so live 
that if we never meet again in this world, we may be an unbro- 
ken circle in Heaven. Sincerely yours, 

Gertrude Kelsey Martenis. 

t82 



Our First Old Home Week 



Enterprise, Oregon, August 1, 1904. 
To THE Old Home Week Committee: 

You are now gathered from many lands to celebrate the 
good old days of our youth. It would give me great pleasure to 
be among you and mingle in vour joyful re- union, but circum- 
stances hinder my coming. In thought and heart 1 am with 
you as you go in and out, and may you all find much pleasure 
in the many hearty hand-shakes. 

Your Old Friend, 

Alfred Dunbar. 



Treadwell, Delaware Co., N. Y., Aug. 5, 1904. 
Mr. Munson: 

Dear Sir — 1 received a number of weeks ago an invitation 
"to participate in Old Home Week" in Smyrna, August 7-14. 
The letter was mislaid or you would have heard from me long 
before this. It came from an unknown source and 1 knew not 
whom to address until I found the letter. I wish to thank sin- 
cerely the sender for it, and were it possible I should be delight- 
ed to visit Smyrna once more, and meet the few relative's and 
friends remaining this side the river, and many of them since 
my recollection have crossed to the other side, but their memory 
is dear to me still, and will be to the last. Smyrna has been a 
name dear to me from childhood, it was where my grandfather, 
Elijah Sexton, a Revolutionary soldier, lived, and died March 28, 
1839, aged 85 years. Sibyl Spencer Sexton, his wife, died May 
38, 1808, and their precious remains rest on Sherburne West 
Hill. My mother, Lovina Sexton, was born in Somers, Conn., 
August 23, 1 790, and went with her parents in 1 795 to the new 
home, then Sherburne, now Smyrna, where my mother was 
married to Herman Treadwell, October 13, 1812. My father 
was a carpenter by trade and has left it on record, "that he built 
the fourth framed house in Smyrna," and as my mother made a 
yearly pilgrimage to that place taking me with her, she always 
pointed to the house as the one he built and where she com- 

tS3 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



menced housekeeping, when she ^ave one dollar a paper for pins 
and other things accordingly. While there she always, with 
some relative visited the cemetery and the old church on Sher- 
burne Hill, where she and her kindred used to worship without 
fires in the winter. Then to Cousin Fred and Fanny Sexton's 
to dinner. My last visit there the church was gone, the ceme- 
tery well kept, and we hope the dear old soldier's grave there is 
not forgotten on Memorial day. My mother said when the news 
came of George Washington's death, he, (grandfather) sat down 
and wept like a child. 1 have his diary kept by him while on 
the march from Somers to Boston. 

The late Mr. and Mrs. Levi Collins were dear friends in my 
father's family, and I have a melodeon bought of him over fifty 
years ago. Also one of his singing books, and many other re- 
minders of the good old town from way back. 1 came to the 
home on the fourteenth anniversary of my parents marriage, and 
am the only survivor of the family of parents and five brothers, 
and with poor health or I would have been present in person to 
meet some friends of former days. When 1 commenced this I just 
intended to send my thanks and regrets, and never thought of 
troubling you so much as trying to read this, so please excuse 
this. I must close wishing all one of the pleasantest gathering 
of friends Smyrna has ever known, and one that will be long 

remembered. Truly yours, 

Mrs. L. a. Smith. 



Paxton, 111., July 7, 1904. 
Mr. George a. Munson: 

Esteemed Friend — The invitation mailed June 2d, to join the 
old friends, neighbors and relatives, in not only a red letter day 
of social pleasure, but a whole week of red letter days, was duly 
received, for which accept thanks. 

A reader of the Smyrna Press, I have not failed to notice the 
generous entertainment planned for those who in the near or re- 
mote past are fortunate to say: "Smyrna, with its pure air, 
lovely valleys and towering hills is my native home." 

t84 



Our First Old Home Week 



I was cradled on Smyrna Hill, and it was there "I felt a 
mother's fond embrace and love's honored kiss." I wish 1 could 
pay a fitting tribute to the memory of the devoted, loving, self- 
sacrificing parents that cared for me in my helplessness. Over 
and over agam 1 have said, 

"Backward, turn backward, oh time in your flight, 
Make me a child again just for to-night." 

I do not ask for that now, but if I could go back and find 
father, mother, brothers and sisters waiting to give me welcome, 
I should say of course I will be in old Smyrna during Old Home 
Week. Now I am like a lone tree of the forest, all else laid low, 
and the cold speechless marble that marks their resting place, 
would not answtr to my loving call. 

For over a month we have been trying to decide the ques- 
tion so as to give you an answer that has stirred the memory, 
and the events and incidents of the years 1 spent in Smyrna pass 
as a panorama before my mind. Not only the names of all the 
families, but the looks, tones, gestures and individual characters 
are before me. How plainly 1 can see the old log school house, 
vith the children coming from the north, east, south and west 
roads, with dinner pails and baskets in their hands. 

Seventy years ago Ruth Ferris taught me to read, and now 
her children's children are among our college graduates, and very 
many of the descendants of the hardy pioneers that felled the 
forests are among the literati of the present day, and as teachers 
and writers their influence is felt in thousands of homes. 

1 may regret my decision to forgo the pleasure of meeting 
the few to avoid missing the many when it is too late. I sit in 
my home, but my mind wanders as 1 read your program, and 
events crowd thicker and faster upon me. But I must close, I 
weary you with what was intended to be a few lines expressive of 
my intense love of old friends and appreciation of the beauty 
and grandeur of the scenery, the clear sky, health-giving atmos- 
phere, sparkling streams and almost irresistible charms of my 
native town. 

1S5 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Since I am not to be with you, I will bespeak the most favor- 
able conditions of weather. 1 will watch for the glow of the 
beacon fires and the bright flashes of fireworks, and 1 may say, 
"Oh, How I wish 1 was there." 

Happy are we in believing, 

"There is a land, upon whose blissful shore, 

There rests no shadow, falls no stain, 
There those who meet shall part no more, 
And those long parted, meet again." 

Mrs. Roxana Cleveland Ferguson. 



North Truro, Mass., Angust 4, 1904. 
My Dear Munson: 

The invitation to Old Home Week at Smyrna stirs a long- 
ing within us to revisit the scenes of my first pastorate and our 
first housekeeping, and only the distance keeps me away. 1 re- 
member so vividly the church and the parsonage, the brass band 
which I assisted to serenade myself at the reception to the pastor 
and wife, and above all the hosts of friends we made while in 
Smyrna. Please accept our sincere regrets that we cannot be 
present, and our hearty wishes for a successful week. 

Very cordially yours, 

Clarence F. Swift. 



Hesperia, Mich., May 17, 1904. 
To the President of Old Home Week, 

Dear Sir — I have received the invitation to spend Old Home 
Week with you and would be very glad to do so, but old age 
and infirmities will prevent. 

My grandparents, Joseph and Elizabeth Tobey, were the sec- 
ond family that settled in Smyrna. I remember of grandmother 
often telling of the trials they passed through the first year of 
her life there. Born in Providence, R. I., and living in wealth 

186 



Our First Old Home Week 



all her early life, it was a great change for her. They came in 
from Albany with an ox team, and when they reached Pleasant 
Brook the stream was frozen over, so the ice had to be broken 
to get the oxen through, and she often told us as she sat on a 
log waiting for that, she wished that she might die. Now the 
fifth generation is living on the farm she helped to clear. 

Hoping many of the old settlers may be there, and you will 
have a pleasant time, 1 will close. 

Antoinette Tobey Brown. 



Muskegon, Mich , August i, l9o4. 
Corresponding Secretary: 

1 am in receipt of your invitation to attend your Home 
Week in Smyrna. It would give me great pleasure to do so, 
but 1 regret that it is impossible. 

In looking over your committee 1 recognize four of my old 
schoolmates, and it seems a long time ago I was there. 

I trust you will have a pleasant and profitable time, and as 1 
cannot come will hope in some other years that I may meet 
you all. Yours most kindly, 

Eva Jaynes Barber. 
(Now Mrs. Almenzo K. Dixon.) 



Tripoli, Iowa, August 2, i904. 
Mr. George a. Munson: 

My Dear Sir— 1 hereby send most hearty greetings to all 
old Smyrna friends, especially the boys and girls of a quarter of 
a century ago. I wish for all the pleasant remembering of old 
acquaintance, and happy reunions. 

Most truly yours. 

Wells T. Ferris. 

187 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Wamego, Kan., August 2, 1904, 
Mr. Geo. A. Munson, and all Smyrna Friends: 

Many thanks for your invitation to attend "Old Home 
Week," that you have all worked so hard for, and did so much 
to make a memorable time in the lives of so many. 

My regret is that I am unable to be present to respond. My- 
self, wife and three children, Edwin t3, Fayette II, and Marce- 
lia 8, live within one mile north of Wamego, we have survived 
drouths and floods, and are enjoying God's blessings. All of us 
are members of the Methodist Church, whose Sunday School 
Superintendent I have been for eight years. 

For the past two months especially vivid remembrances have 
passed through my mind, and during home week, D. V., I shall 
think of you all, and pray for your welfare, and that we may all 
receive a great spiritual uplift. Trust our own (Julius Wood,) 
family may be represented directly, and by many descendants. 

Shall be anxious to hear the report of your precious meeting 
together. 

With best wishes, kind regards, and God's choicest blessings. 

I am very truly yours, 

Frank F. Wood- 



Hamilton, N. Y., August 8, 1904. 
George a. Munson, Esq., Cor. Sec'y.: 

Dear Sir— Having received an invitation for Old Home 
Week will say, while it will not be possible for me to be present 
at the Banquet am proud to say I was born in Smyrna, and il 
is on record among my papers of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution at Washington, and my ancestors were among the 
first settlers in the town, among them Henry and Benjamin 
knowles, John Browning, and Paris G. Holley, so shall be much 
interested in all the history of "early days." Thanking you for 
your kind invitation, 

Very cordially yours, 

Margaret S. Potter Lewis. 

188 



Our First Old Home Week 



BfcRWiCK, Pa., August 7, 1904. 
Friend Munson : 

This is the Old Home Week in Smyrna, and I am glad that 
it has been taken up there. I hope the results will be so pleasant 
as to make it a permanent institution for years to come. We 
regret exceedingly that we are unable to be with you, and wish 
you to convey our greetings to the many friends who are there. 
Trusting that the occasion will be one of profit and pleasure to 
you all, 

Sincerely yours, 

Courtney E. Ferris and Family, 

Lepha a. Dutton. 



Binghamton, N. Y., August 5, 1904. 
G. A. Munson, Esq.: 

My Dear Mr. Munson — An unusual degree of interest was 
awakened within me on receiving your kind invitation. 

So many times during the many years that I was privileged 
to visit professionally Smyrna village, I would see and meet 
heads or members of many different families. As in almost 
every community, many of the good fathers and mothers are 
gone and their children now grown have taken to pursuits in 
thriving towns and cities outside, or have remained in the good 
old town and its borderland. 

1 would only be too happy to rneet the acquaintances and 
their many friends at this time. May Providence favor the 
occasion from the opening to its closing, fine weather prevail, 
happiness, joy and pleasure abound, is the prayer and heartfelt 
wish of my humble self. 

I thank you very much for bringing the privilege of think- 
ing of the occasion before me, and may God's blessing specially 
rest upon you and yours in the work which is yours to aid in 
all its unfojdments and enjoyments. 

Yours very sincerejy, 

Dr. S. Andral Kilmer. 

189 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



BiNGHAMTON, N. Y., July 9, i904. 
G. A. MUNSON, Secretary: 

My Dear Sir — Your kindly remembrance of me as a resident 
of your town and an invitation to attend the reunion was re- 
ceived some time ago, and it gives me great pleasure to ac- 
knowledge the same. 

Forty-two years ago 1 first came to reside in Smyrna, in the 
midst of war time, in which 1 afterwards entered, serving three 
years and two months. 

Many whom 1 then knew have gone over the river. You of 
the younger generation are filling their places now. Hoping 
the reunion will prove enjoyable, 1 am, 

Cordially yours, 

Nelson L. Ireland. 



Norwich, N. Y., July 15, 1904. 
Dear Friends: 

Your cordial invitation to attend your coming festivities is 
gratefully acknowledged with deep regret that we cannot be 
present. Brother Sheldon, sister Mary and myself, are the only 
remaining members of the family of Benjamin and Agnes Bar- 
ber who had resided in Smyrna thirty-one years when we re- 
moved to Norwich fifty-one years ago. Our attachment to our 
native town has always been strong, causing fondly cherished 
memories. But childhood days have passed away, as has most 
of the friends we so dearly loved, yet the sacred influence of 
Christian lives never die, and I wish personally to say that the 
tenderest ties, the deepest gratitude and highest joy that thrills 
my soul results from the faithful labors of members of each of 
the Smyrna churches for my conversion. And soon after leav- 
ing there under the same sacred influences here, the good seed 
already sown in my heart burst forth into the new life in Christ. 
It was the "birth from above," without which Jesus said none 
can enter into the Kingdom of God. One passage of the sacred 
word especially, Acts 5:31, which I had heard in the Baptist 

190 



Our First Old Home Week 



Sunday school in Smyrna when a child, was one of those which 
the Holy Spirit made etTectual in leading me to Jesus. And to- 
day I praise Him for the countless blessings of nearly half a 
century of joyous service as his willing follower, and would say 
to all the unsaved, "Now is the accepted time, to-day is the day 

of salvation." Joyfully, 

AGNES F. Barber. 



OLD HOME SUNDAY. 

No brighter Sunday ever dawned than that of Sunday, 
August 7, 1904, a day long to be remembered in Smyrna, and 
one of much interest to every inhabitant of the town, whether 
old or young. 

Appropriate services were held in every church in the town, 
and every seat was occupied, and many old faces were noticed 
among the different congregations. The author could only be 
present at one church, so consequently we are able to give more 
of the program at that church than of the others, but we are in- 
formed that each church had its share of the interesting services 
of the day. At the Baptist church, the oldest in the town, Rev. 
M. S. Richardson the regular pastor conducted the services, which 
were held in accordance of the observance of the day, and very 
interesting to all present. 

At the Methodist church services for the occasion were held, 
and an address given by a former resident. Rev. Alfred Eastman, 
the pastor, Rev. George W. Crosby, giving a very interesting 
address consistent with the occasion. The most interesting, per- 
haps, was the singing of some of the old-time Methodist hymns, 
which carried the minds of the older portion of the congrega- 
tion back to the days of primitive Methodism. 

Both the Free Will Baptist at West Symrna, and the Friend's 

church at Upperville, were active in the observance of the day, and 

services in accordance with the program laid out, were held, and 

t9t 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



many old home guests were present. At the Congregational 
church the house was filled to overflowing, and Rev. W. D. 
Eddy, the regular pastor, announced that the regular service would 
be suspended and the morning service turned over to the former 
members present. He also announced that the historical docu- 
ments showed that the church had an actual history of eighty 
years, and an essential history of one hundred and two years, it 
being practicably the successor of the church on Sherburne West 
Hill organized in 1802. Rev. Charles C. Johnson, of Clarkson, 
N. Y., was expected to be present and preach a sermon for the oc- 
casion, but was unavoidably detained at home, a fact which was 
very much regretted by all. A male quartette composed of Messrs. 
Leland L. Ferris, Gardner N. and Walter G. Willcox, and Frank P. 
Hartwell sang very sweetly, "Home, Sweet Home," and there 
was scarcely a dry eye among all the people present. 

HOME, SWEET HOME. 

" 'Mid pleasures, and palaces, though we may roam, 
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home ; 
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there, 
Which, seek through the world, is ne'er met with elsewhere. 

I gaze on the moon, as 1 tread the drear wild, 

And feel like my mother, now thinks of her child; 

As she looks on that moon, from our own cottage door. 

Thro' the woodbine, whose fragrance shall cheer me no more. 

An exile from home, splendor dazzles in vain. 
Oh, give me my lowly thatched cottage again ; 
The birds singing gayly, that came at my call, 
Give me them, and that peace of mind, dearer than all. 

Ghorus: 

Home, Home, sweet, sweet home. 
There's no place like home, 
Oh, there's no place like home." 

Myron T. Kinyon, of Pawtucket, R. 1., one of the former 
influential members of the church, referred in most affectionate 
terms to the pastor of his boyhood, Rev. Sidney Mills, who re- 

192 



Our First Old Home Week 



ceived him into the church in 1848, and he also gave very inter- 
esting reminiscences of a powerful revival of religion in the 
church, which occurred during the same year. 

Almenzo K. Dixon recalled the names of twenty-five per- 
sons who united with the church when he did in 1860. 

Mott C. Dixon, clerk of the church for thirty-six years, re- 
called with much feeling, the fact that he was one of the five 
volunteers who went forth from the church to the Civil war, the 
others being Rev. Charles Barstow, who became chaplain of 
the 157th Regiment, Walstein D. Pudney, Edward F. Lawrence 
and Hudson Wood. 

Edward R Lawrence spoke of the tender, almost pathetic 
impression the striking of the old town clock a moment before 
had made upon him, and recalled with much vividness the old 
church before it was remodeled, its galleries, pews, and the high 
pulpit, also naming the members of the once large and famous 
choir led by Deacon L. B. Collins for nearly sixty years, closing 
with a tender tribute to the memory of the late Herbert M. 
Dixon. 

Hon. Walstein Pudney, of Cleveland, Ohio, paid a tender 
tribute to his Sunday School teachers, Mrs. Herbert M. Dixon 
and Martha Northup. The fathers, he said, laid foundations for 
not only the town of Smyrna, but also for the great west. 

Mrs. Celia C Beecher, of Flint, Mich., cited the fact that 
several of her father's grandchildren had become ministers and 
missionaries. Her sister, Mrs. Helen Munn, of Flushing, Mich., 
was also present, a most interested listener to all the proceedings 
of the occasion. Both are daughters of the late Julius Wood, 
whose death in 1873 removed the last of the original deacons of 
the church. 

J. LaMott Dixon, the oldest son of the late Herbert M. Dixon 
was present, and made some very interesting remarks, which 
were listened to with marked attention by all present 

So very interesting was the service that the Sunday School 
was waived and the meeting continued till one o'clock, when it 

193 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



gave way to an old-time handshaking and general greeting by 
all present. 

Sunday afternoon was spent by nearly all the old home 
guests in visiting, and scarcely a house in the whole town was 
without a visitor from some part of the country, and nearly 
every state was represented. 

The first gathering in the large tent was a reminiscence meet- 
ing held at 6:1 5 p. m., and presided over by Hon. Walstein D. 
Pudney, of Cleveland, Ohio. Prayer was oflfered by Myron T. 
Kinyon, and very interesting remarks were made by Edward F. 
Lawrence, Gilbert Tuttle, J. Monroe BilHngs, Almenzo K. Dixon 
and J. LaMott Dixon, but perhaps the most interesting were by 
James R. Tracy, the oldest home week visitor present, who told 
of the rise of the Methodist church, of his own conversion in 
1834, and of his departure for Ohio in the same year, where, 
with his father, he settled on the Big Flats of the Maumee 
River. 

The main service was held in the mammoth tent at 7:30 p. 
m. The tent was finely lighted with acetylene gas, and present- 
ed a very brilliant appearance. It was estimated that fully five 
hundred people were present. The Ninetieth Psalm was read by 
Rev. M. S. Richardson, of the Baptist church, and prayer offered 
by Rev. George W. Crosby, of the Methodist church, after 
which the Male Quartette sang "Old Lang Syne," and then all 
present joined in singing old "Coronation" and it had been many 
years since such a grand song had floated on the summer air in 
the good old town of Smyrna. 

CORONATION. 

" All hail the power of Jesus' name, 
Let angels prostrate fall, 
Bring forth the royal diadem, 
And crown him Lord of all. 

Ye chosen seed of Israel's race, 

Ye ransomed from the fall. 
Hail him, who saves you by his grace 

And crown him Lord of all, 
194 



Our First Old Home Week 



Let every kindred, every tribe, 

On this terrestrial ball, 
To him all majesty ascribe, 

And crown him Lord of all. 

Oh, that with yonder sacred throng, 

We at his feet may fall, 
We'll join the everlasting song. 

And crown him Lord of ail." 

Myron T. Kinyon, of Pawtucket, preached an able and 
touching sermon which was listened to with great attention, 
after which Mr. Hart well sang in his usual pleasing manner, 
"Homeland." After this Rev. Alfred Eastman, of South 
Canaan, Pa., preached an excellent sermon, with his old time 
energy and power, at the close of which Mrs. Burt W. Stover, 
of Norwich, who had very kindly consented to be present, very 
sweetly sang, "There is a land, mine eye hath seen." Rev. 
W. D. Eddy who had acted as Chairman of the evening in his 
usual pleasing way, voiced the people's thought in closing, "what 
our eyes have seen and heard to-day, has paid for all the efforts 
of old home week." 

Monday was parrially cloudy yet no rain fell during the day, 
and at sunset it was decidedly cool. Many guests arrived dur- 
ing the day and the visitor's register showed a fair record. The 
event of the day and evening was the burning of the many Bea- 
con fires on the hilltops at 8:30 p. m., and scarcely a hill in the 
town but was brilliantly illuminated, the light shining out in 
nearly every direction. "Nigger Hill" to the north, Sweet's and 
Carver hill to the east, Simons hill to the south, Tobey hill to 
the west, and over and beyond these the many fires shone out a 
hearty welcome to the many former citizens within our gates, 
and the same were seemingly much appreciated by all who were 
with us on that occasion. 

Tuesday dawned bright and clear, and the weather remained 
fine throughout the day, as though made expressly for the event. 

195 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



Each incoming train added largely to the list of visitors, and 
teams from nearly every direction brought their quota to swell 
the large number of guests to be entertained. 

Early in the morning a gospel service was held in the Metho- 
dist church, led by Rev. Alfred Eascman, and after this the visit- 
ors wandered from place to place, calling here and there, seem- 
ingly enjoying every moment of the long looked for occasion. 
During the day the visitor's record showed a large increase in 
the number of names, and it was noticed that a large majority 
of the visitors kept a close watch on the three mammoth tents 
which had been erected on the Willcox lot on South street, which 
early in the day began to present a scene of activity seldom 
equalled in the village. Caterer Owen, of Utica, was on hand 
on the first morning train from that city, with a full supply of 
eatables, and was kept busy with his attendants arranging the 
tables, and trimming the same for the coming festivities. 

With the incoming of the evening trains the crowd assumed 
mammoth proportions, and not long after all was in readiness 
for the event of events in Smyrna, which had been long looked 
forward to, and most strenuously labored for by all. 



THE GRAND BANQUET. 

The Grand Banquet was to have been given at eight o'clock, 
bnt long before the time set' the mammoth tents were filled to 
overflowing, fully five hundred people occupying the chairs pro- 
vided. Not long after the hour set for its commencement there 
was a selection by the orchestra, order was restored by President 
Pudney, and thanks offered by Rev. William D. Eddy, after 
which the Quartette sang, to the enjoyment of all present, 
"Cousin Jedediah," and the chorus was very appropriately 
changed to "Owen, put the Kettle on," dz., etc., 

Next came the banquet, most ably served by the caterer and 
his attendants, who were assisted by several couples of young 

196 



Our First Old Home Week 



ladies and gentlemen, who volunteered for the occasion, the ban- 
quet and its service exceedingly satisfactory to all. 

MENU 

Mushroom Patties 

French Peas Potato Chips 

Chicken Salad 

Buttered Rolls Olives Pickles 

Neapolitan Ice Cream 

Fancy Cakes, Assorted 

Fruit Coffee. 

After the tables were cleared, cigars passed, and order again 
restored. President Pudney introduced Hon. William R. Willcox, 
of New York City, who after a few very interesting remarks, 
presided as Toast Master. 

The first toast ef the evening, "The Pioneers of Smyrna," 
was responded to by Rev. Charles C. Johnson, of Clarkson, N. 
Y., for eleven years pastor of the Congregational church in this 
village, and it was listened to with marked attention. It was as 
follows: 

Mr, Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: 

1 count myself fortunate in the privilege of attendance at this 
celebration of Old Home Week. Tho' not a native of Smyrna, 
I became naturalized. I lived here long enough to know and 
appreciate the people and become identified with their intc;icit:>. 
I rejoice for you that you have inaugurated this commemoration 
of Old Home memories and scenes. Its influence will not pass 
away with the occasion. The reflex influence will be most salu- 
tary. It is the gathering of family clans and brightening of sa- 
cred memories that beget holier impulses and stronger aspira- 
tions. 

I am called to speak to you this evening about the pioneers 
of Smyrna. They came to the then western frontier to estab- 
lish homes for themselves and their children. They found this 

197 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



country an unbroken forest, save only as crossed now and then 
by an Indian trail. The surveyor had but just gone thro' the 
valleys and over the hills with compass and chain, driving 
stakes and blazing trees. The problem before the pioneers was 
to wring an existence from the wilderness. It was accompanied 
by hardship and discomfort. Their occupation to fell and burn 
the trees preparatory to tilling the soil. The cattle that they 
drove from eastern settlements browsed on the twigs of fallen 
trees. Their dwellings at first were constructed of logs with a 
root made from bark till they could rive out shingles. Thro' 
the roof protruded the chimney of sticks and mud, or perchance 
of stone surmounting the open fireplace. Fuel was in super- 
abundance. Over the logs daily consumed hung the iron crane 
garnished with pot hooks. The iron bake-kettle kept company 
with andirons on the hearth. A substantial latch fastened the 
door on the inside. The door was locked from outsiders by 
pulling in the latch string. In all simplicity of life the first set- 
tlers toiled. Every one living within a dozen miles was a neigh- 
bor. Neighborly kindnesses were the rule. They shared with 
one another generous portions of freshly slaughtered meat. Log- 
gings, raisings and husking bees furnished a community of labor 
and occasions of social life. The spinning wheel and the hand 
loom were found in many homes. Homespun garments were 
worn by day and home woven bedquilts covered them at night. 
Nearly everything used was made by hand. The shoemaker 
went from house to house making up the family supply of shoes. 
The tallow dip furnished light evenings and early mornings. 
Early to bed and early to rise was the universal custom. They set 
aside suitable land as sites for church and school buildings. Illit- 
eracy and irreligion were frowned upon. Reading, writing, and 
the elements of arithmetic were almost considered necessary to 
citizenship. The Bible was used as a reading book in school. 
The pioneers were keepers of the Sabbath. They did not abridge 
hours for they began the Lord's day on Saturday evening. 
The family altar was well sustained by professing Christians. 

>98 



Our First Old Home Week 



Honorable, industrious, frugal, keepers of their word, they were 
a sturdy set and had the courage of their convictions. Those 
who came first to Smyrna were from New England, mostly 
from Rhode Island and Connecticut. It is safe to say that if 
they came not from Connecticut that they came from Rhode 
Island, and that if they came not from Rhode Island that they 
came from Connecticut, occasionally stopping over a generation 
in Dutchess or Otsego counties. They came to possess the land 
and hold it for a Christian civilization of the New England type. 
Large families were in order. They were rich in children. Race 
suicide was not for them. Witness the descendants of Hopson 
Wilcox, whose five sons with their children and grandchildren 
so peopled the town, that it might appropriately have been called 
the "Town of Wilcox," for one could walk on Wilcox land 
from Otselic to Sherburne. So also David Wilbur, the father 
of Thompson Wilbur, and I might mention many names, as for 
instance Joseph Collins, father of a family of singers, John Bil- 
lings, Joseph Billings, Noah Wood, Joshua Talcott, Simeon 
Rexford, Samuel Northup, Gardiner J. Kinyon, John W. Brown- 
ing, John Tobey, Paris Holley, Henry Knowles, John Pudney, 
Thomas Sweet, Archibald Congdon, John Munson, James 
Brooks, Ebenezer Hartwell, Judge John Foote, whose blindness 
at 90 years of age did not prevent him from the privilege of 
voting at the polls. I might continue the list with names of 
James Scarritt and Joseph Card, of Philo Nearing and Rowland 
B. Crumb, Benjamin Lyon and Major Dixon, William Stover, 
Jessie Ferris and Jonathan Shepardson, But I forbear further 
mention. If any one here to-night feels slighted because I have 
not mentioned his grandfather, kindly consider the limits as 1 
have spoken full time. They were men of whom their posterity 
are not ashamed. They made the town of Smyrna what it is 
and has been. Bravely they faced the problems of state and 
church and society which confronted them. Old-fashioned and 
out of date they might appear to us if set in our midst to-day. 
But let us remember that we are the "heirs of the ages" and cer- 
tainly of their achievements and we hope of their virtues. 

t99 



Earlv Years in Smyrna and 



After Mr. Johnson had concluded, Mrs. Stover sang to the 
satisfaction of all present, "The Song That Reached My Heart," 
and as an encore, "Little Boy Blue." 

The following toasts, we very much regret we are unable to 
publish, as they were very interesting to all present, a very pleas- 
ing part of the evening's entertainment, in fact one of the most 
interesting parts of the entire week. They were as follows: 

"Our Young Men in the Metropolis," Edward P. Lyon, 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 

"Home Reminiscences," Cortland A. Wilbur, Binghamton, 
N. Y. 

"Smyrna's Soldiers," Hon. Walstein D. Pudney, Cleveland, 
Ohio. 

"Musicians of Smyrna," Myron T. Kinyon, Pawtucket, R. I. 

"School Day Recollections," Prof. Charles R, Boss, Hacken- 
sack, N. J. 

The different toasts were interspersed with music by the 
orchestra, and solos by the singers present, "Way Down Upon 
the Suanee River" by Mrs. Stover, and the "Grenadier" and 
"Stein Song" by Mr. Hartwell, which were heartily applauded. 

"Our Public Men" was responded to by Hon. Charles H. 
Stanton, of Plymouth, and the same appears below, though Mr. 
Boss was the last speaker of the evening, after whose address at 
12:30 a. m., the audience arose and led by the orchestra and 
quartette sang in closing "The Star Spangled Banner." 

OUR PUBLIC MEN. 

By Charles H. Stanton. 

Mr. Toastmaster, Ladies and Gentlemen : 

Lest I weary you I desire to say that when 1 received from 
your committee the invitation to respond to the sentiment pro- 
posed, and gave affirmative answer, I had but vague comprehen- 
sion of the magnitude of the task before me. On turning back- 
ward the hands on time's dial, to my surprise there was revealed 

200 



Our First Old Home Week 



a long list of names of honorable men, all of whom are em- 
braced in the class popularly known as "public men." 

I assure you I have not been racking my brain to discover 
how much can be said upon the subject, but rather to discover 
how little may be said with some semblance of justice to the 
occasion and also to the honorable men whose enterprise, public 
spirit and sterling integrity not only aided in giving character, 
prestige, force and direction to the early institution and enter- 
prise of your honors placed the town of Smyrna side by side 
with her sister towns in the county. 

Before proceeding I desire to borrow sufficient of your time 
to enable me to make public acknowledgment to Isaac B. Col- 
lins, Esq., a former resident of your town, for valuable informa- 
tion relating to the subject under consideration. Mr. Collins' 
eighty years of life, the first fifty of which were mostly spent in 
your town, gave him the advantage of a personal acquaintance 
with and knowledge of its public men during that period, and 
his residence at the county seat since 1867 enabled him to re- 
main in close touch with his former townsmen down to the 
present. 

Other sources of information have been county and state 
records which have been examined with care that no honorable 
name shall be overlooked. 

Listing the names of these men in the order of time when 
service was rendered, we find the name of Isaac Foote at the 
head of the list. 

Mr. Foote was bom in Connecticut and began his public 
career in his nation and state, having been a delegate to a state 
convention called to consider the adoption of the constitution of 
the United States. 

Mr. Foote settled in what is now Smyrna in 1795, having 
previously purchased a large tract of land in the beautiful valley 
south of your village. He was elected member of assembly in 
1 797, and served as one of the members from Herkimer county 
in the session of 1798, the territory now known as Chenango 
county being at that time a part of Herkimer. During the ses* 

•01 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



sion of 1 798 Mr. Foote procured the incorporation of Chenango 
county. *In the year of 1800 Mr. Foote was appointed first judge 
of the Court of Common Pleas of Chenango county, his commis- 
sion being dated in November, 1800, and signed by John Jay, 
who was then governor. 

Judge Foote also served in the state senate in 1802-3-4-5. 
His personal memoirs tell us that in 1806 he resigned from the 
office of first county judge and retired to private life. 

The long period of time during which Judge Foote was kept 
at the front is evidence of the value placed upon his abilities by 
his fellow citizens. 

Isaac Foote, 2d, son of Judge Foote, held the office of sheriff 
of Chenango county from 1810 to 181). 

Another prominent family in the early history of your town 
was the Case family. Russel Case, head of the family, served in 
the assembly in 1826, and again in 1829. 

Levi H. Case, son of Hon. Russel Case, served a term as 
county sheriff in about 1840. 

Honorable Demas Hubbard, for many years a resident of 
your village, was a lawyer by profession. He began his public 
career in 18)8 as member of assembly, which office he held for 
three successive terms with credit to himself and general accept- 
ability. 

In 1864 Mr. Hubbard was elected to congress, taking the 
oath of office and entering upon its duties March 4, 1865. The 
period during which Mr. Hubbard served in congress forms a 
distinct epoch in national history. The surrender of Lee and 
Johnson, the assassination of President Lincoln, the impeach- 
ment proceedings instituted against President Johnson and the 
long and stormy trial which followed, the passage by congress of 
the fifteenth amendment, the reconstruction measures considered 
by congress for the new south, rendered Mr. Hubbard's legal 
attainments and knowledge of public affairs of great national 

* The next Meirber of Assembly to serve in the Stat« Legislature 
from Smyrna was Joseph Simons, (grandfather of Obed and Bennett 
Simons, and Mrs. Parthena Harrington,) who served in the years 1807* 
11.— Editor. 

202 



Our First Old Home Week 



value. A successful lawyer, an able statesman, an eloquent, en- 
thusiastic and impressionable public speaker, Mr. Hubbard held 
first rank among the public men of his time. 

Eber Dimmick served in the state assembly during the sixty- 
fourth session. 

Francis E. Dimmick, Esq., son of Hon. Eber Dimmick, for 
many years an exceedingly capable justice of the peace of your 
town, also served for several terms as associate justice of the 
court of sessions. 

Solomon S. Hall, a life-long resident of your town, and head 
of a prominent family, served in the state assembly in 1845. 

Isaac B. Collins, of whom I have previously spoken, was 
elected county superintendent of public schools in 1844, and held 
the office for two years. Mr. Collins held first rank among the 
prominent educators of his time. 

Calvin King, for many years a popular teacher in the schools 
of the county, was elected school commissioner in 1857, which 
office he held for three years. 

Hon. Andrew Shepardson, a lifelong resident of your town, 
with whom nearly every person in this large audience had a per- 
sonal acquaintance, was elected to the state assembly in 1870, 
and served during the ninety-fourth and ninety-fifth sessions. 
He was elected county clerk in 1875, which office he held for 
twelve consecutive years. 

The estimate placed upon Mr. Shepardson's services as 
county clerk is well expressed in the words of another. In con- 
versation with a gentleman of our county who has for thirty 
years been familiar with the duties and work of the office, he 
paid this compliment to the clerk of the county, and said Che- 
nango county has invariably had good clerks. They have been 
capable, efficient, painstaking and obliging, and added, from my 
standpoint, Andrew Shepardson was greatest of them all. We 
surely believe the opinion justifiable that he was at least the peer 
of any. 

George A. Munson belongs distinctly to another, because a 
younger class of public men — all the years of his active life have 

203 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



been spent among you. You know him through and through, 
and anything I may say of him seems entirely superfluous. His 
public spirit, his philanthropy, his large heartedness, his helpful 
sympathy with the unfortunate and distressed, have endeared 
him to all who know him, and he will be held in grateful re- 
membrance long years after he has passed from the state of ac- 
tion. 

Mr. Munson was appointed county clerk in March, 1888, 
and discharged the duties of the office with credit to himself and 
acceptability to the public. 

The Pudney brothers, Hon. Walstein D. and George P. are 
both lawyers by profession, and have both been in public life. 

Hon. Walstein D., whose home has for many years been in 
Ohio, has served two terms in the legislature of his adopted 
state. George P. held the office of district attorney of our 
county for two successive terms, six years. He has also held a 
state appointment for several years. George, as you well know, 
is also a useful man in many ways. 

The truthfulness of this statement has been demonstrated in 
your presence on this occasion. He is not only a capable organ- 
izer, but also has the ability and skill to set the machinery in 
motion and cause it to run smoothly, and without jar or friction. 
He also has credit for valuable assistance in making state politi- 
cal for his fellow citizens of county. 

The Willcox brothers— Stephen K. and Hon. William R., 
have both been in public life. They have behind them a noble 
ancestry which they have not dishonored. The Hon. William 
R. has for many years resided in the city of New York and is a 
lawyer by profession. He has for two years held the important 
office of park commissioner of his city. 

Stephen K. has served two successful terms as treasurer of 
our county. Of Stephen's astuteness as a politician, most of 
you have knowledge. 

The name of Walter A. Shepardson, son of Hon. Andrew 
Shepardson, closes the list of names of men which Smyrna has 
produced and given to public service. For the information of 

304 



Our First Old Home [Veek 



old-time residents of the town who have for many years resided 
elsewhere, it is proper to state that at the last general election, 
Mr. Shepardson was called to the office of county clerk of Che- 
nango county. The record of Mr Shepardson made during his 
long term of service with out board of supervisors, justifies the 
prophesy that he will become a worthy successor to his illus- 
trious father. 

A fitting supplement to what has already been said is found 
in the statement that these men of whom I have spoken, were 
and are in the broadest sense self-made men. None of them 
enjoyed the advantages of great wealth. They had ambitions 
and aspirations to do something and become something in the 
world, and they fought life's battle single handed and alone, and 
won for themselves in a large degree the goal of their ambitions. 
They held opinions and convictions upon questions of public in- 
terest and public policy, and they had the courage to back those 
opinions and convictions by personal effort. 

Their ideal of public duty and public service was the largest 
measure of good for the largest number, and they wrought not 
for themselves alone, but for posterity, and sought to give their 
fellow-man an uplift toward better conditions and a better and 
happier life. 

In all the walks of life whether public or private, in every 
position of trust and responsibility, they were faithful, earnest, 
sincere and true, and they gave to the world the best they had. 

By industry and perseverence guided by correct thought and 
systematic and well-directed effort, they won for themselves po- 
sition and recognition, rather than compelled it 

Young men of Smyrna— In the life of active usefulness and 
public service of this galaxy of strong and self-reliant men who 
have preceded you, whose personal history and life work 1 have 
attempted briefly to outline before you, you have an example 
worthy of emulation, an inspiration to loftiest endeavor. Let 
this be your inspiration in life as it has been theirs; "give to the 
world the best you have, and the world will give its best back 
to you." 

20S 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



MEETING AT THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

Wednesdav morning was cool, but there was a heavy sky and 
shortly after eight o'clock a light rain began falling. It checked 
the arrival of guests but little, for at an early hour the town was 
full of people as never before and the hospitality of the place 
taxed to the uttermost to accommodate them. Early in the 
morning Coy's Martial Band arrived, and strains of old time 
martial music filled the air, and not long after the Sherburne 
Military Band was also on hand, and discoursed most excellent 
music all through the day. Everything and everybody seemed 
filled with the spirit of the occasion, and once more Smyrna 
was alive again. 

The exercises of the morning were held at the Congregational 
Church at 10:30 o'clock, and at that hour the same was filled 
to overflowing. After music by the bands, President Pudney 
called the assembly to order, and delivered ihe Address of Wel- 
come. After which the Quartette sang "Early Days," or *Th« 
Valley of Chenango," a song which is always pleasing to a 
Smyrna audience, the singers doing justice to the samc» and be* 
ing roundly applauded at its close. 

EARLY YEARS. 

(Written by S. B. Marsh for the Old Folks Concert given at Sher. 
burne in 1863, for the relief of the Soldiers of the War, and sang on 
many occasions by the famoms Dixon and Collins Quartette of Smyrna.) 

I remember well, in my early years 
When the people were few, and the country new, 
How we went abroad in a rough, crooked road. 
Full of fun and frolic and fears. 

Ob the valley of Chenango, this was the theme. 
The finest timbered country, that ever was seen. 

I remember well in the forest wild, 
Where the wigwam stood, of the Indian good. 
Where bis hunting ground, and his rifle's sharp sound, 
Was the terror of the white man's child. 

9D( 



Our First Old Home Week 



Oh the valley of Chenango, the hunting ground 
Where the rifles sharp cracic went around and around. 

I remember well in the bright moonlight, 
How the girls and the boys in their youthful joys, 
Went to singing school, learned to sing by rule, 
Faw-Sole-Law as their chief delight. 

Oh the valley of Chenango, merry with song 

Where the singing boys and girls, were a happy throng. 

I remember well how the Pilgrims looked. 
With their old-fajhioned clothes and their fine silken robes, 
With their broad-brimmed hat, and their warm buflf cap. 
And their long narrow bonnets untrimmed. 

Oh the valley of Chenango, where the brave men, 
Dared the long dreary winter, till spring came again. 

I remember well in my childhood days, 
The old tunes they sang, in my ears how they rang, 
For they chased one another and the tunes they did bother 
For they scattered and repeated all ways. 

Oh the valley of Chenango, a fine old place, 

Where the old-fashioned tunes go like running a race. 

I remember well when our fathers died. 
Where their bodies now lie in a field near by, 
And their memory sweet, we will oft repeat. 
As we follow to meet them on high. 

Oh the valley of Chenango, where sainted men, 
Once lived, now gone, at rest in Heaven. 

The Historical Address was delivered by George A. Munson, 
Esq., of which modesty will allow us to say but little, though 
the reporter has said it reviewed the history of the town from 
even pre-historic lime to the present. It will suffice to say that 
the address has been mostly merged into "Early Years in 
Smyrna" comprising the fore part of this publication. 

At the close of the address the Quartette sang "The Old 
Oaken Bucket," which was most heartily applauded by all 
present. 

207 



Early Years in Smyrna and 



In a very pleasing manner Rev. Samuel Moore, of Norwich^ 
a former successful pastor of the Methodist Church in this vil- 
lage, delivered an able and fitting address, choosing as his sub- 
ject, "The Three Link Golden Chain, Friendship, Home and 
Heaven," which made a deep impression on the large audience 
present, and was listened to with marked attention. 

At the close of Mr. Moore's address, at 12:20 p. m., the Con- 
gregation arose, and led by the quartette, sang apparenty with 
much feeling, "Home, Sweet Home," and as on the preceding 
Sunday at this church, tears of joy and of sorrow flowed freely 
from many of those present, joy at the sight of so many present, 
who had not been seen before in years, and sorrow for the miss- 
ing ones, and the improbability of many of those present being 
seen here again. Rev. W. D. Eddy pronounced the benediction, 
and the assemblage adjourned for dinner. 

The afternoon was cloudy, though the rain had stopped fall- 
ing, and the field sports were carried on as per program, the 
same being of much interest to the younger portion of the crowd 
assembled. In connection with the games were a tug of war, 
fat man's race, baby show, potato race, foot race, high jump, 
broad jump, pie eating contest, a slow horse trot and a fusileer 
parade, for all of which suitable prizes were awarded. A feature 
of the afternoon's entertainment was the display of day fire- 
works, which had never before been seen here, and were a pleas- 
ing part of the afternoon's program. People filled the streets, 
visited on corners, in stores, on lawns, in the big tent, in the 
churches and every available place, till late in the afternoon, 
when all became aware that the day was drawing to a close, for 

"Be the Day Short, or Never so Long, 
At Length it ringeth to Even Song." 

Not long after four o'clock, the assembled crowds began to 
disperse, farewells were tenderly said and good byes feelingly 
spoken, all realizing that a day long to be remembered in 
Smyrna, was nearly at an end. 

a»8 



Our First Old Home Week 



Many departed for their homes on the afternoon and eve- 
ning trains, but a goodly number remained over to witness the 
fine display of fireworks, said to be one of the finest ever seen 
in the Chenango valley, though a disagreeable rain which set in 
early in the evening prevented many from witnessing the same. 
At the close of the fireworks many remained to trip the "light 
fantastic," but a majority wended their way homeward. 

Every one who attended the observance or any part of it, 
spoke very highly of the manner in which every detail was car- 
ried out, and it was deemed by all present a highly successful 
undertaking in every particular. 

The balance of the week was given over to family reunions 
and visiting, by those who remained after the event was over. 
We wish to say in connection with the management of the affair, 
that the officers, the entire executive committee, and many oth- 
ers, worked hard to make it a success, were entirely harmonious, 
and are entitled to much credit for the most successful outcome 
of our first Old Home gathering. 

THE END. 




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